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<P ,C V 


^ . 151 — The Heiress of Glen Gower. By May Agnes Fleming, 
..160 — Sunset Pass. By General Charles King. 

1.149— The Man She Loved. By Effie Adelaide Rowlands. 

: ^ .148 — Will She VVin.^ By Emma Garrison ^ones. 

,.147 — Under Egyp]^ f Skies. By the author of Dr. Jack. 

' .146— Magdalen’s V'ow. By May Agnes Fleming. 

^.145 — Country Lanes and City Pavements. By Maurice M. 
Minton. 

.|.144 — Doi'othy’s Jewels. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 

<j.l43 — A Charity Girl. By Effie Adelaide Rowlands, 
j . 142 —Her Rescue from the Turks. By the author of Dr. J ack. 
.\141 — Lady Evelyn. By May Agnes Fleming. 

..140 — That Girl of Johnsons\ By Jean Rale Ludlum. 

;^ 139 — Little Lady Charles. By Effie Adelaide Rowlands. 

. .138— A Fatal Wooing By Laura Jean Libbey. 

. .137 — A Wedded Widow. By T. W. Hanshew. 

. .136— The Unseen Bridegroom. By May Agnes Fleming. 

. .135— Cast Up by the Tide. By the author of Haifa Truth. 

. .134— Squire Jolin. By the autiior of Dr. Jack. 

. .133— Max. By Mrs. Georgie Shehion. 

. .132— Whose Was the Crime? By Gertrude Warden. 

, . .131 — ^Nerine’s Second Choice. By Adelaide Stirling. 

130 -A Bitter Bondage. By Bertha M. (day. 

— In Siglit of St Paul’s. By Sutton V aue. 

— The Scent of the Roses By the author of Half a Truth. 
— Nobod\ ’s Daughter. By Clara Augusta. 

®*A126 — The Girl f»oin Hong Kong. By the author of Dr. Jack. 
. .125— D v Vils Island. By A. 1). Hall." 

. .R'4— Pref tiest of All. By Julia Edwards. 

. .123— Northerii Lights. By D. Hali. 

. .122— Graishi’s Mistake. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon- 
. d21 — Cecile’s Marriage. By L: cy Randall ComfoiL 
^J120 — The Wiiite Squadron. By T. C. Harbaugh. 

. ill9— An Ideal Love. By Bertha M. ( lay 
\ ^ .^118 — Saved From the Sea. By Richard Duffy. 

— She Loved Him. By Charles Garvice. 
d%>{116— The Daughter of the Regiment. By Mary A. Denison. 

\^115 — A Fair Revolutionist. By the author of lir. Jack. 

L ' — Half a Truilk By a popular author. 

.>113 — A Crushed Liiv. By Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller. 
"v.!ll2— The CatHe King. By A. I). Hail 

— Faithful Sidney. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 

5 - fv.llO — Whose Wde Is She? By Annie Lisle. 

1% ill 09 — A Henri’s Bitterness By Beitlu M. Clay. 

;il08 — A Son of Mars. By the author of Dr. Jack. 

. . ilOt— Carla; or. Married at Sight. B\ Effie Adcdaide Rowlanda 
.yi06— Lilian, M Lilian. By Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller 
,/i05— When l.ondon Sleeps. Bv (hias. Darrell. 

^ ...lOd^A Proud Dishonor. Bv Genie Holzmeyer. 

' . .103 — The Span of Life. By Sutton Vane. 

. .102 — Fair But Faithless. By Bertha M. Clay. 


, ^101 — A Goddess of Africa. By the author of Dr. Jack. 

• .100— Aiice Blake. By Francis S. Smith. 

...99 — Audrey’s Kecomnense. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon, 

. , .98:_;(jlaire. By Gharles Garvice. 

...97 — The War Reporter. By Warren Edwards. 

...96— Tlie Little Minister. By J. M. Barrie. 

...95— ’Twixt Love and Hate. By Berdia M. Flay. 

.. .94— Darkest Russia. B H Grattan Donnelly. 

...'OS — A Queen of Treachery. B^ T. W. Haiisliew, 

. . . 92 — Humanity. By Suti on Y ane. 

.. .91— Sweet violet. Bv Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller. 

. . .90 — For Fair Virginia By Russ Wliytal. 

...89 — A Gentleman F om Gascony. By Bicknell Dudley. 

. . .88— Virgie’s Inheritance. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 

.. .87 — Shenandoah. By J. Perkins Tracy. 

.. .86 — A Widowed Bride. By Lucy Randall Comfort. 

...85 — Lorrie; or Hollow Gold, B> Charles Garvice. 

. . .84— Between two Hearts. By Bei tha M Cla^. 

. . .83 — The Locksmith of Lyons. By Prof. A\'m. Henry Peck. 

. . .82 — Captain Impudence. By Edwin Milton Ro^le. 

. . .81 — Wedded For an Hour. By Emma Garrison Jones. 

. . .80 — The Fair Maid of fez. By tlie author of Dr. Jack. 

...79 — .Marjorie Deane. By Bertha M. Cla\. 

.. .78— The Yankee Champion. By Sylvunus Cobb, Jr, 

. . .77— Tiiia. By Mrs. Georgie Sl eldon. 

.. .76 Mavourneen. From the celebrated play. 

. . .75— Under Fire. By T. F. dames. 

. . .74— The Cotton King By Sutton Vane. 

• , .73 — The Marquis. By Charles Garvice. 

• . .72— Wilful Winnie. By Harriet Sherburne. 

. . .71 — The Spider’s Web. By the author of Dr. Jack. 

.. .70 — In Love's Crucible. By Bertha M Clay. 

. . .69 — His Perfect Trust. By a popular author. 

.. .68— The Little Cuban Rebel. By Edna Winfield. 

. . .67— Gisraoiida. By Victorien Sardon. i 

...66— Witch Hazel B> Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. , 

...65— Won By the Sword. By J. Perkins Tracy. ! 

...64 — Dora Tenney. By Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller. 

. . .63 — Law\ er Bell from Boston. By Robert Lee Tyler. \ 

. . .62 — Stella Sterling. By Julia Edwards. ^ ] 

...61 — La Tosca. By Victorien Sardou. ^ 

...60 — The County Fair. By Neil Burgess. 

. . .59— G ad\s Greye. By Bertha M. Clay. 

. . ,58 — Major M atterson ot Kentucky. By the author of Dr. Jack. 
...57 — Rosamond. By Mrs. Alex. McVeigh JMiller 
. . .56 — 1’he Disi>atnh Be.arer. By W arren Edwards. 

.55 — Thriee Wedded By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 

. . .54 — Cleopatra By Victorien Sardou. 

...53 — The Old Homestead. Hy Denman Thompson. 

...52 — Woman Against Woman. B'' Ellie Adelaide Rowlands. 
. . .51 — The Price He Paid. By E. Werner. 


.50 — Her Ransom. By Charles Garvice. 

.49 — None But the Brave. By Robert Lee T 3 ieR 
.48 — Another Man’s \\ ife. By Bertha M. (lay. 

.47— The Colonel By Brevet. Bv the author of I)r. Jack. 
,46 -Off With the Old Love, By Mrs. M. V. Yietor. 

;45 — A Yale Man. By RobeH: Lee Tyler. 

• 44 — That Dowdy. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 

;43 — Little Coquette Bonnie. By Mrs. Alex. McYeigh Mil 
♦ 42 — Another Woman’s Husband. By Ben ha M. Clay. 

.41 — Her Heart’s Desire. By Charles Gaiwice. 

.40— Monsieur Bob. By the author of Dr Jack. 

.39— Tiie Coloio Ts Wife. By Warren Edwards. 

.38 — The Nabob of Singapore By the author < fDr, Jacl 

.37 — The Heart of Yirginia. By J. Perkins Tracy. 

.36— Fedora, Bv Yi(*torien Sardou 

.35 —The Great Mogul. By the author of Dr. Jack. 

,34— Pretty Geraldine. By Mia. Alex. McYeigh Miller. 
.33 — Mrs. Bob. By the author of Dr. Jack. 

.32— The Blockade Runner. Bv J. Perkins Tracy. 

.31 — A Siren’s Love. By Robert Lee T\ler. 

;.30— Baron Sam. By Cue author of Dr. Jack. 

.29 — Theodora. By Yictorien Sardou. 

.23— Miss Caprice. By the author of I>r. Jack. 

.27 — Estelle’s Millionaire Lover. By Julia Edwarda 
.26 — Captain Toni. By the author of Dr Jack. 

Little Southern Beauty. By Mrs. Alex. McYeigh MiB 
—A Wasted Love. By Charles Garvice. 

—Miss Pauline of New York. By ihe author of Dr. Ja 
—Elaine. By ( haiies Gaiwice 
—A Heart’s Idol. By Bertha M. Olay. 

—The Senator’s Bride. By Mis Alex. McYeigh Miller 
—Mr. Lake of Chicago. By Harry DiiBois Milman. 

— Dr. Jack’s Wife. By the author of Dr. Jack. 

By Charles Gan^R^e. 

By Haddoii Chambers and B. 


,24 

.23 

. 22 - 

;2i 

.20 

.19 

.18 

.17 

16 




-Leslie’s Loyalty. 
-The Fatal Card. 
Sb-phenson. 

-Dr. Jack. By St 


15— Dr. Jack. By St George Rathborne. 

14— Yiolet Lisle. By Bertha M. (Jay. 
p ‘ -The Little Widow. By Julia Hd wards. 

‘^T^'Kdrie’s Legacy. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon* 

11 — The Gypsy’s Daughter. By Bertha M. Clay. 

.10— Little Sunshine. By Francis S. Smith. 

. .9— The Yirginia Heiress. By May Agnes Fleming. 

. .8— Beautiful but I’oor. By Julia Edwards. 

..7 — Two Keys. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 

..6 — The Midnight Marriage. By A. M. Donglas. 

..5 — The Senator’s Favorite. Mrs. Ale.\. .McYeigh Miller* 
. .4 — For a Oman’s Honor. By Bertha M. Clav. 

.,3 — He liOves Me. He Loves Me Not. By Julia i 
..2— Ruby’s Reward. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 

• .1 — Queen Bess. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 



] J 

34 ?' t 

■ Ue 

DRAWN UP 

IN FOUR COUNTS 

^ AS FOLLOWS: 

First Count 

A Railway Rascality 

Second Count 

Promise Under Duress 

Third Count 

Assault With Intent to Kill 


Fourth Count 

Summing Up and Hearing of the Case 


of Ganqir^m 

, ' Hfccived 

I-O I900: 

wtry 

’#koNf) COPY. 

SnlivOfM hr 

ORDtH WYlSfON, 

OCT 26 19QQ 




Copyright, 1889, 

By JOHN W. LOVELL COMPANY 


Copyright, 1900, 

By STREET & SMITH 


1 . 


A LEGAL WRECK 


FIRST COUNT 

A RAILWAY RASCALITY 
It was late in June. 

I. The weather was fine. Wind stationary. Ba* 
rometer variable. The ocean was in one of 
its peaceful moods. 

But that was not to be wondered at, for dur- 
ing nearly the whole month of May it had fumed 
and roared, and lashed itself into a thousand furies, 
and beaten thunderingly upon its rocky bars. Now 
it seemed to be quiet from mere exhaustion. It 
was dozing, while the summer sun warmed its back. 
By and by it would awaken again, and make it lively 
for those within its reach. 

The above observation was taken from the lati- 
tude and longitude of Gap harbor. If it had been 
more in the nature of a weather report, it might 
have been classed as For Northern New England, 
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and that sort of thing."' 
Gap Harbor, however, requires a sea report. That 
is the first thing. After that, the weather. Then 
items of minor news may come in. 

Two persons were looking forward with intense 
anxiety to the coming of Olive Gray. One was 
Cap’n Edward Smith. The other his son. His son 
was also Edward. But no one ever confused him 
with his father. They were different in every re- 
spect. In addition to that, their names were en- 


/ 


2 


A LEGAL WRECK 


tirely dissimilar, fo^one was “ The Cap’n,” and the 
other was Ed Smiy. 

Their anxiety regarding the arrival of Miss Gray 
was also utterly unlike. The old Cap’n wished for 
her return with unselfish love — with a great yearn- 
ing — with the overpowering feeling that the aching 
voi d she left in his gentle old heart when she went 
away, and which had continued to ache with per- 
sistent regularity ever since, would at last be filled 
again by her presence — the only presence that could 
fill it. Tears came into his faded blue eyes, and 
overflowing upon his furrowed cheeks, were con- 
ducted off in various directions by his many and 
deep wrinkles, as he felt that his heart’s pride, 
his heart’s idol, his heart’s life, was at that very mo- 
ment coming nearer, nearer, nearer to him — and 
with the rumbling rapidity of a railway train. She 
might even at that moment be leaving Portland. 
At any rate, it w'as long after the time she was. to 
change cars at Worcester. 

He would soon drive into the town of Williams- 
port, and rattling along the main street, pull up his 
horses at the railroad depot. 

- J^ot long after — it would be impossible to say 
how long, as the train on the little branch line 
could not be depended upon — she would come. 
He'.would have her with him again. He would put 
her trunks into the wagon. She would sit beside 
him on the seat, and they would drive home to- 
gether over that mountainous road to Gap Harbor. 

It might be rather late in the evening, but there was 
no danger. He almost wished there were, so that he 
might protect her. He was nearly seventy, but there 
was strength still left in that short, thick-set, sturdy 
old frame of his. He felt it. And he would like to 
use it for her before it left him, as it must before 
many more years went by. 

And so the old horses trotted lazily along, and the 
wagon rattled alarmingly over the jagging rocks that ^ 
pushed their noses up into the road, and the., Cap’n"’ 


A LEGAL WRECK 


3 


thought only of her coming, and did not notice that 
the air was heavy with perfume, that the woods were 
beautiful in their June freshness; he paid no atten- 
tion to the road, or the horses either, but the horses 
took charge of their own department, and so it was 
just as well. Indeed, it was better that they should, 
for had he felt it necessary to speak to them he 
would have shouted out sea orders, which would 
have been very confusing indeed, as they were not 
-sea-horses. But his heart was too full — he could 
hardly have spoken if he tried. To-day he would 
have her again. Each vacation that she had come 
back to him it was harder to let her go. And now 
it was over. The long four years were passed safely. 
Nobody had found her. No one had discovered who 
she was. No one had claimed her. This great dan- 
ger was at an end. She would be his still. His 
constant fear — his overwhelming dread, that had 
grown side by side with his great love for her — 
would now be cleared away. The day he had been 
waiting for — hoping for — living for, was here at last. 
He imagined her on the train coming swiftly toward 
him. And so his heart was glad. Had he known 
the peril she was in at that very moment, it might 
have killed him. 

It must have been a hard — a desperate struggle 
for the Cap"n to make up his mind to send Olive 
away to school. But he said nothing about it. The 
harder the battle, the grimmer the silence with him. 
He simply did what was right, so far as he could see, 
and let his feelings look out for themselves. When 
he sighted the proper course he steered the ship 
straight on it, no matter what took place on board. 
There might be starvation, mutiny, or anything else. 
He would put the helm right first, and attend to 
matters ‘^on board of her’' afterward. So did he in 
this case. Although there was mutiny, rebellion, 
almost death within him, he saw that Olive must be 
sent to school, and he sent her. Even if he had not 
seen that it was best for her to go, it was mentioned 


4 


A LEGAL WRECK 


in his instructions and that was enough. There- 
fore he had written to an old merchant in Boston, 
for whom he had taken cargoes to the West Indies 
years before, and made inquiries as to the best 
place for to ship a girl into as is a-wantin’ to be fitted 
up with a eddication."' The result was a brief corre- 
spondence with a well-known seminary for young 
ladies in the State of Massachusetts, and the follow- 
ing spring Olive’s admission thereto. 

It seemed strange to the people of Gap Harbor 
that Cap’ll Smith should send the girl away to school. 
But they said very little about it. It was merely 
a prevailing sentiment in the town — as the little 
cluster of houses clinging in all sorts of positions to 
the steep and irregular hills surrounding the inlet, 
was proudly called by the residents. Perhaps an 
inland village would have been very much wrought 
up about the affair — that is, if it was as unusual an 
event there as it was in Gap Harbor. We hear 
mighty things of the excitement produced in coun- 
try places of the ideal kind — the conventional old- 
fashioned villages, with their ancient gambrel-roofed 
houses, odd characters and devastating gossip, when 
some trivial personal matter that is really nobody’s 
business becomes the talk. It is passed from one to 
another with a feverish desire to get in first, and at 
the same time to present the facts in their most in- 
teresting light. In such places each person becomes 
a reporter, an editor, and a publisher. His head-lines, 
italics, and style generally go into the thing, and at 
the same time he speaks editorially of the affair, 
furnishing as telling comments and opinions as his 
talent permits. H^ is simply after as large a circu- 
lation as possible. So are the others. No wonder 
there is excitement in these quiet places, when an 
extra ” is issued every five minutes, when a hun- 
dred editorials, more or less sensational, but usu- 
ally more, have been circulated through the usual 
channels. 

But Gap Harbor was not this kind of a town. It 


A LEGAL WRECK 


5 


took things of the gossip order — if it took them 
at all — with a chilling calmness. And it was because 
the people, instead of being shut into a place where 
they were forced, for the excitement which the 
human system craves, to prey upon themselves, were 
neighbors with the ocean. It was a presence that 
dwarfed all others. It made itself felt. There was 
hardly an hour in the day or night that the great 
Spirit of the Deep did not impress itself upon these 
people who were gathered together near a headland 
that defiantly held its ground, while the rocky shores 
for miles each side had been forced to retreat before 
his thundering blows. Sometimes he shook them 
with the storm — another effort to force back — break 
down — annihilate this obstinate pile of rock which 
was shoved in his face ; often following this, a 
sudden calm with a dense fog and salty vapor 
thrown upon the place, as if in a towering rage at 
finding the cliffs immovable, he would breathe upon 
them — strangle them — choke them ; then for days 
together could be heard a sullen roar — the dull, 
heavy beating of his violent pulse, which even in 
good weather resounded upon the precipitous 
walls of rock; sometimes — and this was one of 
his most ominous moods — there was an absolute 
stillness — no sound — no breath — no motion; impress- 
ive because it was still ; the crouching of a terrific 
beast before its spring ; the dead silence while the 
gun is being aimed. 

What need of gossip in such a presence? Living 
constantly with this great neighbor, they did not 
thirst for small excitements such as might have 
been caused in some places by the sending of Olive 
Gray to a young ladies’ seminary. The people 
who heard of it said little. They wondered, quietlyo 
Not a great wonder. Not incisive. No questioning. 
The fact was stated calmly. No opinions were ex- 
pressed. No sharp things were said. The affair 
v/as not worked up with garish head-lines and 
sensational editorials. A quiet and dignified aston- 


6 


A LEGAL WRECK 


ishment prevailed. That was all. There was not 
excitement enough in such a thing to provoke re- 
mark. Much more disturbing affairs could not 
loosen the tongue of gossip here. Matters of 
engagement, marriage, even death, were . received 
with little comment. They had the sea. That 
mastered all. Beside it these things were insignifi- 
cant. People inland have the sky, but they do not 
know it. It seldom asserts itself. It does not roar 
and lash itself, and beat on the horizon. It does 
not playfully sw^allow up boatloads of men, or engulf 
great steamships. It is vast — magnificent — inspir- 
ing, but interferes seldom in personal affairs. Indeed 
in most coastwise places the sea is not all-masterful. 
Especially is this true at the resorts where city 
people gather for the summer months, and where it 
is simply salt water. The great presence shuns 
these places. It^ waters run in there, and are some- 
times disturbed. But the Spirit of the Ocean does 
not follow it. 

Gap Harbor had no beach to soothe the restless 
Deep, and muffle his angry roar. The coast was a 
broken line of battlements. It was as if this rugged 
New England State, having a regiment of Mountains 
in its standing army, had massed a company of them 
at the front to meet the desperate charges of the 
Sea, and these veterans were grimly holding their 
positions while their sides were being torn away, and 
their stony hearts exposed to view. Dark towering 
cliffs, perpendicular and sometimes cavernous walls 
of rock, presented themselves to the waves. In 
some places masses of rock had recently fallen or 
split off, and the wreck of it was piled in the water 
below, with the tide foaming and fizzling over it — 
madly rejoicing. Looking at this line of cliffs from 
the sea, it seemed impossible that a'landing could 
be made anywhere. But by following up the side of 
the headland about half a mile, a sharply defined 
opening could be found, and passing through this 
narrow gateway, which was known as the Gap, a safe 


A LEGAL WRECK 


7 


and deep bay or inlet would be reached, and the 
town on the steep hills surrounding it come into 
view. On the hollowed and resounding rock of this 
wild region the waves made themselves known with 
varying sounds, and the general contour of the coast 
line was strangely adapted to the focusing of these 
sounds upon the . little settlement, so that people 
were in the habit of telling the mood of the sea from 
the prevailing tone he sent up. If they awoke in 
the night they could, without the slightest hesita- 
tion, pronounce “ the wind from the Eastward an’ a 
little lively,” or whatever the state of the case might 
be, and then go to sleep again feeling the satisfac- 
tion which must follow upon learning the latest news 
on the subject of greatest interest. Upon the rare 
occasions when there was no sound to be heard, a 
general restlessness would prevail among the people. 
If it was at night they would be very likely to get 
up and sniff the air and look at the sky. Better to 
know the worst than to he left in uncertainty. 

Besides the natural advantages which the sea had 
for impressing his Great Self upon the inhabitants 
of Gap Harbor, the people who lived there were 
uncommonly fitted to receive impressions from 
him. For they were his children or grandchildren 
— by adoption. Many were in the “ fishin’ trade,” 
and went out in smacks and other craft at proper 
seasons. A considerable number of the older peo- 
ple were retired seamen, and old navigators. Their 
children and grandchildren were brought up to 
understand that even before their allegiance to 
their parents they must honor and respect the 
Deep. And if there was any difficulty in making 
them realize this at first, it vanished after they had 
gained a little experience in the boats. 

It was a little marine colony, almost shut off from 
the rest'of^the world. Few strangers came. The 
place was not easy to reach. Coming up by rail 
from the south, it was necessary to change to a 
branch road which turned off to the southeast, and 


8 


A LEGAL WRECK 


with considerable climbing and turning about, suc- 
ceeded in reaching several old seaport towns. One 
of these was Williamsport — quite a large place, with 
a court-house and a jail. Here the traveler must 
leave the train and proceed by team over a mount- 
ainous road about seven and a half miles. One could 
go by water from Williamsport. The water was 
there. But water alone will not answer as a con- 
veyance. In the fishing season many Gap Har- 
bor boats would discharge their fish at this place, 
and then go down nine miles to the sea, proceed 
around the headland, and after a voyage of nearly 
twenty miles, make the Gap. But this was not a 
popular way of reaching the town. It occupied 
from one to three days, was sometimes very rough, 
and moreover, the vessels had no state-rooms for 
passengers. As may be imagined, the tide of travel 
did not set toward Gap Harbor to any alarming 
extent. The people lived pretty much by them- 
selves, They were simple-hearted, kindly and hon- 
est, with few exceptions. There were some rough 
young fellows who had shipped in the fishing boats 
from other places and drifted into the village in this 
way, who were sometimes an annoyance at night 
when grog had been freely bought, but people paid 
little attention to them so long as they kept to then> 
selves. Once in a while some punishment was 
necessary. It was then swiftly and thoroughly exe- 
cuted. For instance, when two of the roughs, who 
were to sail out' early in the morning, took the 
opportunity late at night to break into the store, 
the ‘‘committee’' was called. Cap’n Smith simply 
“gave out ” that the proper thing would be-a “ hog- 
gin' ; " thereupon three old tars walked over to the 
schooner these wild young men were aboard of, and 
informed the skipper that they’d have to oetain 
him a few minutes. Then they marched the fellows 
up the st^reet, tied them to posts in front of the store 
they had broken into, and gave them a most busi- 
ness-like thrashing. Nothing was said in particular. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


9 


When it was finished the ropes were quietly untied, 
and the roughs limped away. They did not swear 
or call hard names. They only walked away. 
They knew perfectly well that if they had said what 
was on their minds, they would have been instantly 
tied up again and whaled for half an hour. There 
is a great deal in being certain of a thing. In com- 
munities which consist mainly of the simple old 
marine element, some things may be relied upon. 
And the marine element predominated in Gap Har- 
bor. It was officered something like a ship, and 
Cap’n Smith commanded. 


No one, so far as icnown, said a word against 
2. the Cap’n when he sent Olive away to school. 
Neither did any one say anything in favor of 
it. It simply became known. Had it been 
any one else who had sent any other girl away, 
nothing of an unkind or critical nature would have 
been said. There would have been more astonish- 
ment, but no harsh comment. In the Cap’n's case 
there were circumstances which made the thing less 
surprising than it would have been in any other. 
Olive was not his daughter ; it was not known whose 
daughter she was, but it was very evident that she 
was different in some way from the sea folk of Gap 
Harbor. This was conceded without remark. No 
one had mentioned it, but every one was perfectly 
aware of it. Therefore, they reasoned that the Cap'n 
was right in pursuing a different course with her from 
what he might have taken with one of his own chil- 
dren. He had sent his son Edward to the village 
school — as long as he would go, and that showed 
he had nothing against it as a school. 

Besides, it was remembered that a letter had 
been left by the girl’s father, which the Cap'n re- 
garded as his instructions. This may have ordered 
that he send her away to school. If it did, then 


ro 


A LEGAL WRECK 


that alone was reason enough, for it would be an 
unspeakable crime to disobey instructions. 

All these things were quietly taken thought of, 
though seldom put in words. Had there been no 
apparent reason, however, for sending the girl away, 
no one would h^ve questioned it. That the Cap’n 
saw fit to do so would have been enough. 

Cap'n Edward Smith was one of the most re- 
spected men of the village. He was loved, too, but 
no one had ever mentioned that, and there was no 
way known to these people of showing it. It is 
therefore doubtful whether he suspected that affec- 
tion was entertained toward him. But respect was 
easily detected. His judgment regarding village 
affairs was law. And, as an instance already related 
plainly shows, law in Gap Harbor was promptly ex- 
ecuted. The most important questions were re- 
ferred to him for decision. And the decision was 
invariably just and reasonable. 

He was simply treated as if he was aboard ship, 
and in command. There were other retired ship- 
captains in the place, but he was the senior. Near- 
ing seventy years of age, his short white hair grew 
thinly upon his round head ; he had a smooth-shaven 
face, which never lost its weather-beaten, dull red 
glow, blue eyes looking calmly from under heavy 
brows, a firm mouth and massive chin, with a jovial 
expression always playing about among the many 
seams and wrinkles on his face and neck — sometimes 
even getting as far round as the back of his head, 
and running up to a small bald spot which had been 
apparently worn away there by the rim of his cap. 
The Cap’n was one of the most lovable old sailors 
who had ever taken a bark out of harbor. He had 
not come in at the cabin windows, but had entered at 
the hawse and worked his way aft. Consequently, in 
mere book lamin’ ” he was deficient. But no one 
who met and talked with him for five minutes would 
ever regret this. Book learning would have taken 
away a simple charm from Cap’n Smith. It would 


A LEGAL WRECK 


ir 


have taken some of his saltness, too ; and he was 
salt to the core. His short, thick-set body was 
carried upon solid, stumpy legs, and they were such 
unmistakable sea legs that one almost felt the roll 
of the deck as he went by. He spoke always as 
though he were still navigating, and made every- 
thing subservient to the sea and the weather. He 
gave orders when necessary. And they were ship's 
orders. He was as gentle as a mother at times. 
And his life was bound up in Olive Gray. 


Edward Smith, also, as has been said, looked 
3. forward with intense anxiety to the coming of 
Miss Gray. He had every reason to do so. He 
was engaged in a most hazardous and most out- 
rageous undertaking. Others, more skillful 
than he, more suited to the parts they were assum- 
ing, were doing the actual work. But his money — or 
promise of money — was paying for it. He was now 
awaiting the result. In half an hour he would know 
whether or not they had been successful. But the 
thing had been so well planned, and was in the 
hands of such accomplished artists, that he had 
little fear on that point. And so he was waiting 
with nervous anxiety the coming of Olive Gray. 
But he waited in a very different place from where 
his father was standing, with longing heart. 

Young Smith had been a disappointment and 
a cause of much trouble to his amiable parent. 
After being placed in school he had run away from 
home, and nothing was seen or heard of him for 
years. He had been to South America in a coaster, 
and had spent his small pay in low dens frequented 
by the worst class of seamen. When his money was 
gone he shipped again — this time to Havana. After 
several voyages he found himself stranded in New 
York, with no money, and nothing to do. It then 
occurred to him that he would go home. He found 


14 


A LEGAL WRECK 


his hard drinking, his low desires. He did not li\e 
at his father*s house. It was too far away from 
the drinking places. He lodged where he could, 
sometimes at Sandy’s — sometimes with one of his 

friends.” He was insulting and brutal upon the 
slightest provocation. He was always ready for a 
fight, but as few were ready to fight with him, he 
seldom got into actual combat. He was feared 
more for his hot temper than his actual strength. 
This was another inheritance from his mother, but 
it v/as intensified in him. It burst forth with such 
violence that there was no telling what it would lead 
him to do. Therefore he was dreaded. In this way, 
seeing his associates cowed before him, and quiet 
and peace-loving people avoid him, he naturally 
became a bully. 

One evening he knocked down and unmercifully 
beat and kicked an unoffending stranger who came 
to the village with goods to sell. 

When it was known in the village, there was quiet 
indignation. Little was said, but it was under- 
stood that some punishment was necessary. They 
were averse to giving the Cap’n pain, yet such a 
piece of brutality must not be passed by. 

Ed went about the drinking places the following 
day with brazen unconcern, as if no one would dare 
to lay hands on him. It was decided that he should 
be locked up for a week in the little stone store 
room which served as a jail upon rare occasions, 
and that Cap’n Smith should be informed of this, 
but not asked to act in the mayer himself, as it 
involved one of his own family. Jonathan Mazey, 
an old retired mate, and a warm friend of the Cap’n’s, 
was sent to rep^ort the affair, and tell him the decision 
the committee ” had come to, in his absence. 

Cap’n Smith no sooner heard of it than he set out 
for the village, and stumped along at his fastest 
gait. So fast, indeed, that Mazey, who was lame, 
and had also lost the sight of one eye, was left far 
behind. Coming down the street he saw the several 


A LEGAL WRECK 


15 


members of the committee waiting Mazey’s return, 
as they wished to know what the Cap hi had said, 
before proceeding to action. He gathered them 
together and said without prefatory remark of any 
kind, that he was greatly obleeged for their bein' 
willin’ for to take this matter off his hands, but if it 
were the same to them, he’d like to j’ine in with ’em 
on consid’rin’ of it.” A short consultation followed, 
and ten minutes afterward the Cap’n entered Sandy’s 
place, where Ed was lounging with two congenial 
spirits, and walked up to him with a business-like 
tread. Three veteran seamen followed him in, and 
waited near the door. They were well on in years, 
and might not have manned the yards so easily as 
in years gone by, but their grip was still an iron one, 
and they were solidly set up. The Cap’n had not 
spoken to his son for more than two years. And 
this was what he opened the conversation with : 

‘‘ I has been a-thinkin’ for some time, sir, as I 
would use a little influence with you, and see what 
it would do. An’ now are jist as good a time for 
beginnin’ as any.” 

“What do you want?” said Ed, a little alarmed 
at the appearance of his father, and his opening 
remark. 

“ I aren’t a-wantin’ anythin’, my son. I thought 
I’d see if you didn’t.” 

“ Well, I don’t want anything of you,” yelled the 
young ruffian. 

“ I aren’t so sure but what you does,” said the 
Cap’n, quietly. “ Word has been passed as how you 
hits a man last night an’ then jumps on him an’ 
kicks him. An’ this here man didn’t never do noth- 
in’ as would call for sich conduct. Now of course 
you doesn’t want to make no apologies to him for 
doin’ of it.” 

“Apologies! Apologies! — Ha, ha!” — turning to- 
ward his friends, who were interested spectators of 
the scene. “ Well I guess not ! ” 

“Well sir, I’m* a-goin’ to have you flogged until 


i6 


A LEGAL WRECK 


you is so anxious to, that you’ll beg for the oppor- 
tunity of doin’ it.” Then, turning to the men: 
‘‘ Stan’ by ! ” 

Ed struggled like a madman in their grasp, and it 
was with some difficulty that they took him out 
and tied him. But the flogging was given, and it 
was a good one. In half an hour the Cap’n ordered 
it stopped, and had him locked up for the night. 
The next day another flogging was administered. 
On the third day Edward wajiited to apologize, and 
was given the opportunity. 


But the Cap’n was not through with Edward 
4. yet. He got a team and took him home — for 
he was in such a condition from the “ influ- 
ence ” he had already received that he could 
not walk. He was put to bed, and nursed 
with the tenderest care that Nancy Dunks, who kept 
house for the Cap’n, could bestow. It was not what 
would be called tender care, in many places. But 
in Gap Harbor it was as tender as any known. 

Nancy was a very broad and heavy widow, who 
lived in a small cottage about a quarter of a mile 
from the Cap’n’s house, toward the village. There 
seemed to be unusual mortality among her husbands, 
for, of the several she had had, exactly 100 per cent, 
had died, or been lost at sea — which really amounted 
to the same thing. The last one had been swept 
away shortly after the Cap’n’s bereavement, and 
Nancy felt singularly drawn to the old fellow by 
sympathetic grief. She tried the experiment, two 
or three times, of going over and sitting with him, in 
the silence of afflicted spirits, but found it was not a 
success, as he would immediately leave the house. 
Then she grew into the habit of giving Sadie — a 
young woman from the village who was “ help ” at the 
Cap’n’s — hints and directions as to the best manner 
of doing things, and what the Cap’n ought to have. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


17 


She very soon found it necessary to look in every 
day just, to see as things was goin’ on right an 
tidy/' and from that to spending a considerable part 
of the day was but a matter of time. The Cap’n ex- 
pressed neither gratitude nor alarm. But when Nancy 
sat down in the room he generally went somewhere 
else. That was the only sign he gave. The fact was, 
his mind and heart were so filled with little Olive 
that he gave small heed to other things. For the 
child clung to him, and fastened herself about his 
very soul. 

When Edward was brought to the house, after his 
three days' flogging, Nancy was in the habit of spend- 
ing a great part of her time there. She at once 
took charge of him, put him to bed with most of 
his clothes on, punched the pillows about his head 
vigorously, and then went down and made him a 
great basin of Indian meal gruel flavored with mo- 
lasses. If he had not been very weak and some- 
what broken in spirit he would have thrown his boots 
at her. As it was, he made an effort to get up and 
escape as soon as she left the room. But he fell 
back on the bed, almost fainting, and said to himself 
with an oath, that he would rest awhile first. He 
rested for two days, enduring Mrs. Dunks as best 
he could. Then he arose, staggered into his trousers, 
pulled his boots on, grabbed his hat and started to go. 

The Cap’n was waiting for him. It cannot be said 
certainly that he had put his son into Mrs. Dunks’ 
hands as a finisher,” but it looked like it. At any 
rate Edward was finished. As he came out of his 
door and down the winding stairs — which were built 
like a ship’s companion way leading to the upper 
deck, the Cap’n stood where he could command the 
foot of them. 

Ed saw him, and thought only of getting by and 
out of the house. But this was not what the Cap’n 
intended. 

Hold hard there ! ” Edward stopped. Ed’ard, 
how has you enj’yed yourself?” 


i8 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Ed looked at his father a moment before answer- 
ing in a surly voice, ‘‘You aint no need to ask me 
that ! ** 

“Then if I aint, don't give me no opportunity o’ 
makin' the same remark agin.” 

There was a pause, and a flush of violent rage 
passed over the young man. Had his strength not 
been gone, he would have leaped upon his father 
and done him violence. 

“ There was one more thing as I had to say. I’ve 
made a arrangement for ye to take Simmonses 
sloop and go into business for yourself. She’s all in 
shape for you — cleaned up thorough, new sails into 
’er, an’ a new coatin’ o’ paint onto the outside ; all 
you has to do is to go aboard and git your crew.” 

Ed stood dumfounded. As he waited, undecided 
what to do or say, a young girl opened the outside 
door, and seeing only the Cap’n, ran eagerly toward 
him. All at once she saw he was not alone and 
stopped. The Cap’n held out his hand to her. 
She was by his side in an instant, and nestling 
against him, with one little hand in his and the 
other holding tightly to the edge of his coat. 

“ This here is Olive Gray, Ed’ard, as belongs to 
me an’ nobody else,” looking down into the sweet 
face which was turned to him as he said it, “ and to- 
morrer she — ” Something rose in his throat and 
choked him, but he made an effort and finished ; 
“To-morrer she are a-goin’ away to a place where 
they fits ’em out with a eddication.” Then he 
added, “ Bein’ as she are a sort o’ sister o’ yours, I 
thought you might like to see her once afore — afore 
she goes.” 

Ed saw the slim figure, the delicate hands and 
little feet — the dark brown hair with a touch of sun- 
set glow in it, waving back and gathered into a 
single braid behind ; he felt, vaguely, that a being 
from some other world was before him ; even his 
dull and brutal sense perceived what the people of 
Gap Harbor had felt for years, that Olive Gray was 


A LEGAL WRECK 


19 


not, and could not be one of their kind ; but only 
for an instant did he think of these things, for he 
suddenly lost the consciousness of everything but 
tliat two dark eyes were upon him, first curiously, 
questioningly ; then changing to pity. A sudden 
change it was — instantaneous — overwhelming. He 
felt it almost as a shock. Nothing like it had ever 
happened to him before. He was confused. He 
tried to speak in order to break through the strange 
influence. He could only stammer. He turned 
away as if the sun had dazzled him. There was a 
feeling of groping blindly for an instant, although 
he made no motion. Then he turned and hurried 
to the door — pulled it open with a desperate jerk, 
and rushed from the house. 


The Cap'n’s influence lasted about six 
5. months. Then Edward dropped back into 
his old ways. He dropped suddenly. It 
was a fall all together. 

He was pleased to be able to run his own 
business, instead of '‘taking it out on jobs.” His 
punishment, the finishing process administered by 
the tenderness of Mrs. Dunks, and his father’s gen- 
erosity on the top of it all, had tamed him. It had 
not touched his heart. He was merely subdued. He 
had a faint idea, too, of making a success of the busi- 
ness. The season was good. The fish ran well. He 
made quite a little money. Possibly if he had made 
none he would have kept straight longer. Having a 
pocket full, and desiring to let it be known, he was 
an easy prey for the tempter. And the tempter 
had many agents on the lookout for him. He went 
out with a set of his old companions. They made a 
night of it. Then they made another. That fin- 
ished the business. 

The Cap’ll heard of it, and gave up his son as 
" not havin’ sound timbers enough into him for to 


20 


A LEGAL WRECK 


make anythin’ seaworthy.” He was much grieved 
over it. He loved Edward, and always must love 
him, for was he not his son ? This blow added to 
his utter misery — liis pathetic loneliness because 
Olive was gone, made the old sailor very much 
downcast. People saw that he was not himself. 
He went about restlessly — aimlessly — without pur- 
pose. He could not stay in the house where she 
had been and was not. So he would leave it as 
early in the day as he could. He would walk 
out on the shell road into the woods, but he could 
not stay there, for there too she had been and was 
not. Every call of a bird, every darting squirrel, 
every mossy rock asked him where she was. And 
he hurried away. He climbed to the wild and 
rocky heights where the sea had eaten into the hills, 
leaving precipitous and hollowed walls at the foot 
of which the tide was relentlessly pounding and 
clamoring for another split of stone to surrender 
and fall. But she had been there as well — indeed, 
it was one of her favorite places. Many times had 
she led him there ; the tears dimmed his eyes — he 
could not stay. So it was everywhere, and the 
poor old man wandered about, finding no resting 
place. But it was better than sitting still, for then 
the aching loneliness would come upon him un- 
bearably. And when he knew that Edward had 
gone wrong again, it was almost a relief, although 
so bitter a disappointment, for it took his mind for 
a little away from his loneliness, although it turned 
It to something that was nearly as hard to bear. 

And so Edward went down again. His low com- 
panionship, his habits of drink and debauchery, were 
resumed with more abandon than before. His short 
struggle against these things had but increased his 
appetite. Before many months he was the most 
reckless and hardened scamp that the quiet little 
town had ever known. 

But a respite was at hand. Early one morning 
he put out of Gap Harbor in the sloop his father 


A LEGAL WRECK 


21 


had placed at his disposal. This was nothing .un- 
usual. It created no comment when a week went 
by without bringing him back. Another passed, 
and still he did not come. There had been no rough 
weather, so nothing could have happened to him. 

At last people began to think that he might be 
gone for good. The idea dawned upon them slowly, 
but it dawned. Those who awoke to it were immedi- 
ately filled with a gnawing anxiety — lest it was not 
so. But as time passed without his return, their 
anxious souls were quieted, and they inwardly gave 
thanks. Not only had Edward Smith gone, but he 
had taken three of his cronies with him. The aver- 
age morality of Gap Harbor was raised several de- 
grees. Even the Cap’n was somewhat relieved. 
B it it was because he did not know where his son 
had gone, or what he was doing. 


Several years passed quietly. The fishing 
6. craft, large and small, smacks and sloops and 
schooners, sailed in and out through the Gap. 
There were storms, with occasional loss of 
life — for when the wind set so that it drove 
across the narrow pass, it was almost impossible to 
get in safely. Several boats, in trying to make it, 
had been swept down on the dangerous reefs near 
where the Cap’n lived, and he kept a coil of rope 
and a small log raft near the water there, to help a 
crew ashore in case of disaster. 

Olive had come home for vacations, and gladdened 
his life for a little while, and then gone away again, 
each time more eagerly, and each time causing a 
greater strain on the Cap’n’s heart. 

But the end of the weary years he had supposed 
she must be away from him drew near, and his eyes 
brightened and new life seemed to come to him. 
She was at home for one of her last vacations. The 
two had gone to the high cliff, and she was telL 


20 


A LEGAL WRECK 


make anythin* seaworthy/* He was much grieved 
over it. He loved Edward, and always must love 
him, for was he not his son ? This blow added to 
his utter misery — .^lis pathetic loneliness because 
Olive was gone, made the old sailor very much 
downcast. People saw that he was not himself. 
He went about restlessly — aimlessly — without pur- 
pose. He could not stay in the house where she 
had been and was not. So he would leave it as 
early in the day as he could. He would walk 
out on the shell road into the woods, but he could 
not stay there, for there too she had been and was 
not. Every call of a bird, every darting squirrel, 
every mossy rock asked him where she was. And 
he hurried away. He climbed to the wild and 
rocky heights where the sea had eaten into the hills, 
leaving precipitous and hollowed walls at the foot 
of which the tide was relentlessly pounding and 
clamoring for another split of stone to surrender 
and fall. But she had been there as well — indeed, 
it was one of her favorite places. Many times had 
she led him there ; the tears dimmed his eyes — he 
could not stay. So it was everywhere, and the 
poor old man wandered about, finding no resting 
place. But it was better than sitting still, for then 
the aching loneliness would come upon him un- 
bearably. And when he knew that Edward had 
gone wrong again, it was almost a relief, although 
so bitter a disappointment, for it took his mind for 
a little away from his loneliness, although it turned 
it to something that was nearly as hard to bear. 

And so Edward went down again. His low com- 
panionship, his habits of drink and debauchery, were 
resumed with more abandon than before. His short 
struggle against these things had but increased his 
appetite. Before many months he was the most 
reckless and hardened scamp that the quiet little 
town had ever known. 

But a respite was at hand. Early one morning 
he put out of Gap Harbor in the sloop his father 


A LEGAL WRECK 


21 


had placed at his disposal. This was nothing. un- 
usual. It created no comment when a week went 
by without bringing him back. Another passed, 
and still he_did not come. There had been no rough 
weather, so nothing could have happened to him. 

At last people began to think that he might be 
gone for good. The idea dawned upon them slowly, 
but it dawned. Those who awoke to it were immedi- 
ately filled with a gnawing anxiety — lest it was not 
so. But as time passed without his return, their 
anxious souls were quieted, and they inwardly gave 
thanks. Not only had Edward Smith gone, but he 
had taken three of his cronies with him. The aver- 
age morality of Gap Harbor was raised several de- 
grees. Even the Cap’n was somewhat relieved. 
But it was because he did not know where his son 
had gone, or what he was doing. 


Several years passed quietly. The fishing 
6. craft, large and small, smacks and sloops and 
schooners, sailed in and out through the Gap. 
There were storms, with occasional loss of 
life — for when the wind set so that it drove 
across the narrow pass, it was almost impossible to 
get in safely. Several boats, in trying to make it, 
had been swept down on the dangerous reefs near 
where the Cap’n lived, and he kept a coil of rope 
ani a small log raft near the water there, to help a 
crew ashore in case of disaster. 

Olive had come home for vacations, and gladdened 
his life for a little while, and then gone away again, 
each time more eagerly, and each time causing a 
greater strain on the Cap’n’s heart. 

But the end of the weary years he had supposed 
she must be away from him drew near, and his eyes 
brightened and new life seemed to come to him. 
She was at home for one of her last vacations. The 
two had gone to the high cliff, and she was tell- 


22 


A LEGAL WRECK 


ing him about her studies, and how she hoped to 
carry them on at home. He asked about her 
shipmates at school,” and what they would do 
^^when the crew was discharged,” having an idea 
that this might give him some light as ‘to what he 
could do for the one he loved. She told him 
some of her schoolmates would go home and into 
society, or take private lessons in different things, 
and some were going to a place of higher grade — 
a college for young ladies. Something in her voice 
made him catch his breath with a sudden thought 
of alarm. His heart beat painfully. The old dread 
touched him, but he gave no sign. 

He waited a moment before speaking, and then 
asked her some question about this college of 
which she had spoken. As she turned to answer 
him he watched her face closely, with his kind old 
blue eyes fixed steadily upon it, as he would look at 
the sky to read the weather. And he saw there that 
she had a yearning to go to this place herself. He 
saw it with a great pain leaping into his heart. But 
that made no difference. 

“ An what name does they give to it, my darter ? ” 
said he. 

Smith College,” she answered. 

'' I rather likes the name o’ that,” said he, an 
I’ve detarmined to send you there.” 

She looked at him an instant. Then the tears 
came into her eyes. She went and stood before him. 
Once she would have thrown herself into his arms. 
But she had become more reserved. She only said, 

O uncle!” and looked up in his face. He hesi- 
tated a little and then took her hands in his, ten- 
derly. 

That suits me jist right, my dear,” and he looked 
sadly into her face, the thought of the separation \ 
sweeping over him. That suits me jist right, for 
owin’ to its bein’ Smith College, — owin’ to its — bein’ 

• — ” but here he choked up with emotion, and could 
say no more. ^ 


A LEGAL WRECK 


23 


“ I will not go, uncle ! I will not leave you,*' she 
said impulsively. 

Yes ye will, darter. There aint no way out of 
it — for it's writ into my instructions." 

The Cap'n was certainly good to Olive, considering 
his means. He had saved a little money, and owned 
a small fishing interest, as did most of the retired 
navigators of Gap Harbor. But it was a heavy tax 
upon him to send her to school, and pay for dresses 
and the gin'ral outfittin' " of a young lady. He 
insisted that she should get the best as is " of 
everytli^ng. Nothing could be good enough for her, 
let alone being too good. L/pon coming home for 
one of her vacations she had found an upright piano 
in her room. It was one of the costly makes. The 
Cap'n had learned from her letters that she was very 
fond of music, and this seemed to him the thing to 
do. He sent down to Portland for the instrument, 
and ordered, at the same time, ten dollars' worth of 
‘‘ tunes for to play onto it," and the assortment was 
a credit to the intuition of the dealer. He had put 
in a varied selection of songs of the sea, embracing 
such gems as “ Nancy Lee," Davy Jones," Rocked 
in the Cradle," etc., and other choice marine ballads, 
many joyous and triumphant — others treating chiefly 
of watery graves and having more to do with affairs 
relating to the bottom than with those at the surface 
of the deep. This ten dollars, however, was not 
thrown away. When Olive played over these pieces 
for the Cap'n and sang such of them as she could, 
he was simply carried away. His delight knew no 
bounds. And they were played very often after that. 

And now she was to go away again. Four years 
more of this delightful school life with compan- 
, ions who seemed so much more to her — so much 
nearer to her life than any she had known in Gap 
Harbor. 

I She was genuinely sorry to be separated from the 
' Cap'n, for she loved him with a depth of affection 
he did not conceive possible. It was too bad that 


24 


A LEGAL WRECK 


he could not know it, he would have been so oven 
joyed. His happiness would have known no bounds. 
His great dread would have been lessened. For he 
could have borne anything, knowing she loved him 
with such love. 

He did not think of it, that her whole heart’s lov- 
ing tenderness and clinging must be toward him. 
Her mother — father — sister — brother-love resting 
with him alone. And yet it was so. She had no 
one else. She never asked him why this was, and he 
had not told her. Once in a while a strange, almost 
dreadful loneliness would sweep over her. Even as 
a child she had had such times. And as she grew 
older, they came more frequently. She felt that 
something was gone from her life — that she was 
alone. She could not tell what or why. She feared 
to ask what it meant. And soon her buoyant spirits 
rose again, and the shadow passed aw^ay. 

She knew Cap’n Smith was not her father. She 
called him only uncle— though how she came to do 
so she could not tell. But never having known a 
father or mother, she accepted him without question- 
ing. And yet the loneliness would come. 

That the Cap’n was not rich in a monetary sense 
Olive’s quick intelligence perceived, and 'she very 
soon learned to practice little economies. Her 
dresses were simple and inexpensive. She wore no 
ornaments of any kind. She had learned, in her 
brief experience with the outer world, to make 
the most of little. And yet she looked charming 
always. Simplicity became her. She needed no 
ornaments. Jewelry would not have looked well 
upon her. Because, no matter how brilliant the 
gem, it would have seemed dull and valueless beside 
her simple girlish beauty. 

So the Cap’n was to lose her for another four 
years. And that great dread that some one would 
recognize her, and that she would be taken from him, 
was awakened anew. But that had nothing to do 
with her going. He did not consult his own feel- 


A LEGAL WRECK 


25 


ings for an instant. He simply decided that she 
was to go, and that ended it. 


The days that followed went very hard with 

7. Cap’ll Smith. Nancy Dunks was a burden 
to him. Her actions had become strange 
and unaccountable. She seemed inclined 
to lean up against him at odd moments, 
and when he moved away, would look at him re- 
proachfully. Oilier little oddities of behavior an- 
noyed him, and he finally consulted old Jonathan 
Mazey, with whom he had often shipped in the old 
days, and who adored the very ground he walked 
over. 

Short and stout and permanently lame in the left 
leg; one eye gone; hair gone, excepting a fringe 
around the back of his head and under his chin; 
face and neck and hands seamed and scarred and 
weather-beaten and leathery. This was Jonathan 
Mazey, in the rough. He was known only as Mazey. 
Regularly, once a week, he went and smoked a pipe 
with the Cap’n. Irregularly, at other times. 

These two said little. But they understood each 
other perfectly. They were of one accord. They 
would often sit and smoke for three-quarters of an 
hour in silence. Then one of them would say a word 
or two. It summed up what might have been said 
in that three-quarters of an hour. The other would 
puff out a cloud of smoke, winking his eyes slowly. 
Then another silent period. Mazey’s companion- 
ship was the Cap’n’s greatest relief. Though little 
was said, his mind was gently led away from the 
place of its suffering. 

One afternoon they sat together on the Cap’n’s 
porch. Mrs. Dunks saw them there. She had seer, 
them together on many former occasions. She did 
not approve of it, and was determined, as soon as it 
would do, to discourage these weekly meetings. 


26 


A LEGAL WRECK 


It seemed to her that the proper time for the first 
step had now arrived. She considered herself a 
necessity to the Cap’n, and had given him several 
hints of a tender nature which she supposed he 
understood. She would now uproot Mazey, and 
set herself out in his place. With this object in 
view, she marched out on the porch and calmly 
seated herself between the two men, and very near 
to the Cap'n. 

For some little time neither old salt gave a sign. 
They smoked as quietly as if nothing unusual 
had taken place. Mrs. Dunks sat bolt upright, and 
waited, frowningly, to catch Mazey's eye. But she 
did not catch it. Mazey smoked on, his eye blink* 
ing peacefully, and his glance directed straight 
before him. 

After a time, the Cap’n knocked the ashes out of 
his pipe and rose. Then Mazey knocked the ashes 
out of his pipe and rose. Mrs. Dunks congratu- 
lated herself that she had broken up the meeting. 
But she had not. It was merely adjourned to 
another locality. The Cap’n deliberately walked 
into the house. In a few moments Mazey walked 
into the house. They seated themselves in the 
parlor, and filled and lighted their pipes. Then 
Mrs. Dunks came in and seated herself between 
them. 

There was quite a long interval of contemplative 
smoking on the part of the two old sailors, and 
defiant glances on the part of Mrs. Dunks. Then 
the Cap’n knocked the ashes out of his pipe and 
rose. Mazey did the same, and the two left the 
house. Mrs. Dunks was triumphant. 

Half an hour later, Mazey and the Cap’n were 
seated in the one little room which the former hired 
for a lodging, down in the village. They were 
smoking. No conversation had passed between 
them since the widow’s maneuver. It was some 
time after they had become settled in Mazey’s 
quarters when the Cap’n spoke. 

A 

/ 


A LEGAL WRECK 


27 


“ Has you taken notice o’ the widder of late ?” 

‘‘ I has, sir.” 

“ She are a-actin’ strange.” 

‘‘ She are, sir.” 

Then there was a silence of perhaps ten minutes. 
The Cap’ll spoke again. 

“ Can you make her out, sir?” 

Mazey took his pipe out of his mouth, in order to 
be more impressive. He looked at the Cap’n*with 
his bleary one eye. And he said slowly, ‘‘ I cannot, 
sir.” 

‘‘ No more can I,” said the Cap’n. 

There was a very long silence. The Cap’n fin- 
ished his pipe, and did not fill it. He had some- 
thing of importance to propose. He sat some time 
in deep thought. 

Mazey, a-tween you an me, I doesn’t like stayin’ 
there no more, by^myself. Now sir, will you stan’ 
by ? ” 

Aye aye, sir ! ” said Mazey, with a hoarse gut- 
tural gurgle. 

The Cap’n took Mazey home with him that day, 
and a wagon brought his chist ” with his ‘‘dun- 
nage.” He was given a room in the “ fo’castle,” as 
the Cap’n called an addition he had built to the 
house, something in the shape of the bow of a ship. 

The Cap’n’s house was a curiosity in many ways. 
As far as possible in shape and arrangement he had 
tried to conform to the rules of marine architecture. 
Ships’ fittings, too, were seen in every part. A 
compass with its solid support stood in a corner of 
the parlor, and several of the Cap’n’s oaken lockers 
near the walls. The mantel ornaments were held 
in place by thin boards with notches sawed out for 
the necks of vases and a slat running along the 
front to hold them in. Large, and delicately col- 
ored shells had supports of their own. Several 
s'v/inging racks hung on one side,' but instead of 
glasses and decanters, they held pretty bits of 
china. The Cap’n was not so simple as to sup- 


28 


A LEGAL WRECK 


pose a storm would be likely to rock the struct, 
ure, but he had always seen these things swung 
free and liked to have them that way — it seemed 
natural and proper. His barometer was in the 
hall at the foot of the stairs, so that you could 
see it as you came down. The tie of the curtain 
cords, the much-scrubbed and holy-stoned boards 
of the floor, which could be seen around the sides of 
the room, all reminded one of aboard ship, and 
polished brass trimmings to the little winding stair- 
way, for all the world like one coming down into 
the Cap’n’s cuddy, heightened the effect. 

But with it all was another element, something 
feminine and delicate, and yet fitting to the place. 
Pretty striped curtains there were, made from old 
sails, and a fire screen of the same material, with a 
ship at sea embroidered upon it. The piano, which 
Olive would not have in her room, was here now, 
and there could be no doubt at all about its being a 
ship’s piano so far as decoration of the cover went. 
The Cap’n had never taken a piano on a voyage with 
him, and therefore looked a little doubtfully at it 
until Olive put its sea-cover and its sea-legs on. One 
of the real old rag carpets of many colors covered the 
middle of the room, and this \vith pretty tidies, and 
cushions with chintz covers on the lockers, gave a 
cheerful and comfortable look to the place. 

An old ship’s wheel had been turned to good 
account in the line of decoration and use as well. It 
stood near the wall on one side of the room on solid 
uprights and with bronzed ropes running down each 
side through holes in the board that served as a 
base. The handles w^ere polished, and a pretty w^ork- 
bag and other fancy articles hung from them. In 
the same w^ay an old anchor was suspended by a 
chain in front of a low and very wide Avindow, each 
arm supporting a jar of growing plants, the vines 
climbing the chain and festooning themselves about 
the veteran piece of iron in all sorts of charming 
figures. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


39 


There was no balustrade to the little ship’s stair- 
way. Instead, ropes ran from one support to 
another along each side. But the ropes originally- 
put in were now replaced by bright-colored ones of 
yarns twisted together, and its iron supports were 
neatly bronzed. 

The walls of the room had been of a pale blu- 
ish-green or greenish-blue shade, and upon this 
for a background Olive had pasted and tacked and 
fastened in various ways pressed sea plants of glow- 
ing red shades, sea mosses and ferns, sea-weeds and 
other delicate growing things. These were arranged 
in an irregular band around the room just above the 
low wainscot, and an old rope fastened along in a 
wavy*- line above and below it, and touched up with 
copper bronze, gave it a finish and effect that was 
certainly very pretty. Among the pressed sea plants 
within this roped inclosure could be seen an occa- 
sional star-fish by way of emphasis, and now and then 
an iridescent shell and other salt water curiosities 
of a proper shape for fastening in. This “ deep-sea 
dado ” had been Olive’s delight. It was of slow 
growth. She added to it every day or two when at 
home. And the Cap’n sat and adored it. 

In the vases upon the mantel were bunches of old 
and dried-up grasses and flowers. The Cap’n would 
not have them touched. Olive had put them there 
the day she went away. 

And because Mrs. Dunks had made this place an 
abode of sorrow, Mazey ‘‘stood by.” He came to 
live there, and was a great comfort to the Cap’n. 
He now had company. His old friend was as true 
as steel, as faithful as a dog — and that is the most 
faithful creature that lives. And it was a great 
thing for Mazey too, as he was all alone in the world, 
and craved companionship. And what companion- 
ship could be more desired than that of his old captain, 
whose words were gospel, whose orders were law? 

The two became closer friends than ever before, 
and exchanged confidences of deeper import, though 


30 


A LEGAL WRECK 


in the same monosyllabic way, with long silences. 
TheCap’n told Mazey many things about Olive, and 
even confided to him that he feared ‘‘ she was a-gittin 
more differenter every day.’' He told him too, and 
this was a mark of extreme confidence, about a news- 
paper he kept in one of his lockers in the little parlor, 
which laid over any newspaper as he ever saw.” He 
had bought it more than twenty-nine years ago in 
Calcutta, and it was the Calcutta Mariner ; on very 
special occasions when something was a-troublin’ 
him, he would turn to an git it out.” He got it out 
one day and showed it to Mazey, expatiating on its 
wonderful power of diverting the mind. 

Thus Mrs. Dunks’ first move in her campaign to 
separate the two old friends, was quite the reverse of 
successful. She was a simple old creature, and the 
unforeseen result of her attack so surprised her that 
she did not make another demonstration until the 
next spring, and that was quite a number of months. 
So the Cap’ll had comparative peace. And having 
Mazey to relieve his loneliness, he did not go about 
restlessly as had been his habit. But for all that he 
hungered for his little ‘‘ darter,” and feared for her, 
and had the great dread. 

And deep down in his mind he was troubled about 
his son. One of the skippers who came to Gap 
Harbor with merchandise had seen him, and brought 
no good report. He feared Edward had gone utterly 
and hopelessly to the bad. 


Olive’s letters were an unspeakable comfort 
8. to the Cap’n. They were a lasting comfort, 
too. It took him a great while to read one. 
And by the time he reached the end, the 
beginning of the letter would be quite fresh 
again, so that when he received one, which was 
every week, he read it constantly the first day, over 
and over again. Then for several days following he 


A LEGAL WRECK 


31 


read it occasionally. After that, only at odd times. 
The last day or two, before a fresh one came, when 
he had almost exhausted the one last received, he 
would get out his box with all the old letters, and 
live on them until the arrival of the next. She wrote 
lovingly to him. Her letters were not so reserved 
on the subject of affection as she herself had grown. 
She said things that she might not have spoken to 
him had she been at home. 

And so the Cap'n lived through the weary terms 
— from one vacation to another. And when she 
came home for those brief visits between the terms, 
time seemed to be nothing to him. It was light. It 
had no body. It vanished into thin air before he 
could grasp it. Afterward he would go over it all 
in his mind, from the day she came until he sorrow- 
fully and silently loaded her trunk into the wagon, 
and drove with her over the hills to Williamsport. 
Everything, no matter how trivial, that she had said; 
where they had been ; what they had done ; all came 
back to him vividly. He lived the vacation over 
again. He would look at the new things she had 
put in her deep-sea dado. And after his mind had 
been over- it all, he would think of her. He saw 
how she was changing year by year. How exqui- 
sitely beautiful she was growing in face and fig- 
ure. Though still inclined to be slim, her form was 
daintily rounded, and every outline captivating. 
There was not a motion that was not grace itself. 
The same little hands and feet, so quick-moving — 
so fascinating. The same full white throat, only 
fuller and whiter, and the same coquettish little 
mouth which could smile two dimples into life, and 
suddenly make them vanish again as that strange 
seriousness spread over her lovely face. But above 
all the rest, the marvelous dark eyes which seemed 
to read through and through one, holding him fas- 
cinated, thrilled, until she turned them away or he 
violently broke the spell. And yet she seemed en- 
tirely unconscious of this strange influence, and, 


32 


A LEGAL WRECK 


indeed, would have been the most surprised young 
lady in the world had she been told of it. 

She was a joy and a sunbeam in the house when 
she came, tripping about with her dainty, elastic 
step, humming little bits of new songs, tacking new 
things into her dado, hammering her fingers the 
first thing — giving a little scream that was a joy to 
hear, because it meant nothing serious, and then 
making the ancient Mazey kiss the hurt place. 

She had no end of sport with Mazey, to whom she 
took a great fancy, and as for what he thought of her, 
words would simply refuse to tell it. And then, in 
the midst of her joyous lightness, would come one 
of those times of thinking to herself, as the Cap’n 
called it, when nothing could make her smile, and 
the unfathomable eyes seemed to be vacant — open, 
yet not seeing; the spirit not looking out of them, 
shut within, silent. Even when she W’as a child, and 
had romped about with him, she would stop once in 
a while and stand looking at him strangely, absently, 
silently — he waiting wdth fear ; feeling almost guilty ; 
imagining her thought must be, Why am I here 
with you ? I do not belong here. Let me go." 

And as she grew up, these serious times came 
oftener and lasted longer. For days she would ap- 
pear overcome with a weird loneliness — a dumb ask- 
ing for something they could not give her. She 
would sit at the piano and play strange and sad 
music — impetuously; with a half desperate outpour- 
ing. She would go into the woods alone. When 
spoken to, answering pleasantly, yet absently, as if 
thinking other thoughts. Then, like a cloud, the 
shadow would pass away from her, and she was 
her own sweet self again. 

The Cap’n took this to heart. And her reserve 
toward him he misconstrued, for Olive had that not 
uncommon nature that treats lightly the lighter 
things, and holds the deeper, the more serious feel- 
ings to itself — unspeakable. Therefore, she did not 
cling about the old man’s neck as she used to do 


A LEGAL WRECK 


33 


once, and tell him she loved him. That seemed 
trivial — nothing to her depth of real feeling. She 
was serious with him. And when she was serious 
she was silent. 

And though, even as a child, she seemed so 
strangely different from the people among whom 
cliance had placed her, yet lately, after being away 
at school and college, that difference became so 
marked, so evident, that the Cap’n felt it keenly. 
It began to seem personal to him. It was sacri- 
lege for him to be near her. She was like. a beauti- 
ful star who brought a sky of her own, and how 
could he assume to have close relation to her — 
even in the name? And so gradually he ceased 
calling her ‘‘darter” — and avoided any name but 
Olive. And that name, which he had given her 
himself, beginning to seem too familiar, he one day 
hit upon “young leddy and finding it appropriate 
in his own mind, and expressing something he felt, 
continued to call her by it. And when Olive would 
have remonstrated, and asked him to call her by the 
same loving word he always had, her reserve held 
her back. She could not speak of these things. 
And so she was “young leddy ” from that time. 
The Cap’n’s worship was as great, but it seemed as 
if it were from a distance. 

Once in a while, as he sat smoking with Mazey, 
after she had gone, and in the long silences had 
thought over all she had said and done in the too 
brief vacation visit, he would become very still, and 
forget to draw on his pipe, which would go out 
slowly ; then he would take it out of his mouth, 
look steadily before him, and finally speak in a low 
voice, as if thinking aloud, not knowing he gave 
his thought words: “That girl” — a long pause here, 
“ that girl are a-kind of driftin’ away from me like, — 
she are a-kind of — driftin’ — awav.” Then he would 
sit motionless, breathing long breaths, as if in pain. 
Soon his eyes would wink very fast, as tears quietly 
rose into them. Then his pipe would fall to the 


34 


A LEGAL WRECK 


floor and break in pieces, at which he would start up, 
pull out an old red handkerchief and rub it across 
his face once or twice, rise and go slowly to the 
locker near the window, take out the old yellow 
Calcutta Mariner y and sit reading it for hours at a 
time. 


Olive passed the last examination, and was 

9, a senior. As the institution was not for 
young men, it may be well to correct a possi- 
ble impression which might follow from the 
use of that word, and state plainly and point- 
edly that she was senior only in name. A more 
girlish and altogether delightful senior cannot be 
imagined. 

The long summer vacation was at hand. The smil- 
ing, tearful adieus were said. There were not many 
to say, for Olive’s close friends were few. She was 
admired and looked up to by everybody at the col- 
lege. There was not one girl in the four fascinat- 
ing classes who would not have given worlds to 
be intimate with her. But those who were her 
intimates could be counted on the fingers of one 
hand, even if you had lost a finger and the thumb 
along with it. And they knew her only on the sur- 
face. It was a very charming and delightful surface 
to know any one on, and they tried to be satisfied. 
Although Olive could amuse and entertain them 
with the brightest conversation — indeed, almost 
brilliant at times ; although she was full of animal 
spirits, vivacity, playfulness, to the very brim of her 
fascinating summer hat ; yet about herself or her 
life she never spoke. If the subject was touched 
upon she became instantly silent, and had one of her 
moods, as her school friends called them. Knowing 
this, they tried to avoid speaking of it. 

One of the three who counted themselves her 
friends was Edith Kimball, and she was dearer and 


A LEGAL WRECK 


35 


closer to her than either of the others. They really 
loved each other, these two, and Edith was sad at the 
thought of their separation — even for twelve weeks. 
So that one day, a little before the end of the term, 
after a long silence between them, she burst out sud- 
denly — impulsively — according to her nature, with, 
Olive ! Olive ! — I love you, and I don’t know 
you ! Why don’t you tell me about j/ourself—j/ozcr- 
self, Olive — why don’t you tell me ? ” 

Olive turned to Edith, with a strange, lonely look 
in her eyes, and said simply : 

“ Because I do not know.” 

So she went home to Gap Harbor for the long 
summer vacation. And the Cap’n was overjoyed to 
have her there, and comforted by the thought that 
there was only one more year of educatin’ ; ” Mazey 
blinked his one eye in perfect rapture; even Mrs. 
Dunks felt the joyous influence, for Olive was always 
jolly and sweet with the good-hearted old creature, 
and it was impossible for the bulky widow to help 
naving a secret admiration for her. 

More charming than ever, more rounded and dim- 
pled, more graceful in motion, deeper and more 
thoughtful in repose, Olive was a vision of loveli- 
ness to the admiring mariners and madnesses of 
Gap Harbor. Perfectly frank and unaffected in her 
behavior toward them, dressed in the simplest 
gowns — yet always seeming well dressed and stylish, . 
she never gave offense, but always pleasure. She 
walked right into their neat and shipshape parlors 
and seemed to have no suspicion that she was not 
one of them, although they knew perfectly well that 
she was not ; they saw she was another kind of a be- 
ing. She greeted them all by name, inquired about 
those who had been sick, sympathized with the fami- 
lies of those whom the cruel sea had taken away. 
And the Cap’n and Mazey went about with her — she 
would not go without them — and they were both 
tremendously proud of her. Only the Cap’n’s pride , 
was mixed with a fear that people would see how 


36 


A LEGAL WRECK 


presuming it was in him to claim any ownership in 
one who was so beautiful — so radiant — so different 
from them all. 

Olive played and sang the sea songs, and Mazey 
had to hold himself to k ep from “j'inin* in.’' She 
went to the woods and the high rocks, and renewed 
her acquaintance with all the old places, the Cap’n 
alone going with her, for Mazey could not accom- 
pany them, owing to his infirmities. 

As the two were standing one afternoon, looking 
off to sea from one of the cliffs, Olive was silent for 
a long time, and the Cap’n, turning slowly and fear- 
ingly, saw that the strange look had come into her 
face — the thinkin’ to herself ” — the desolation — 
the loneliness. It was the first time since her return. 
Although his heart failed him, the Cap’n determined 
to find out what troubled her, so that he might help 
her if he could. 

‘‘Young leddy,” said he. But she did not hear him. 

He went and stood near her. After a minute or 
two, he rather timidly took her hand in his. She 
slowly turned her wonderful eyes full upon him. 
The guilty feeling overpowered him for an instant 
- — and yet of what was he guilty? Keeping her 
from her own friends and family? He did not 
know them. Should he have sought for them ? 
How could he, when it was contrary to his “ instruc- 
tions,” for was it not written there, that he never 
must give her up to any one claiming relationship? 
And yet before that searching, questioning gaze, he 
felt like a culprit. But he had decided to speak, 
and he did so, with simple directness. 

“Young leddy, aren’t there somethin’ as you’re 
a-wantin’ ? — aren’t there somethin 

She held to his hand tightly with both of hers and 
looked at him. “ Yes, uncle,” she answered in a low 
voice. “Yes, uncle — I want — to know ” 

“What is it then — I’ll tell you anythin’ I can,’* 
said the Cap’n, but he trembled inwardly. 

There was an instant of struggle in Olive’s face. 


A LEGAL WRECK 37 

and then impetuously — uncontrollably — almost 
breathlessly, she said : 

“Tell me — what it all means, uncle! Where is 
my father — my mother — all who are mine? — Haven’t 
I any one — any 07 ie ! Am I all alone ? Where did 
you find me? Where did I come from — who am I, 
uncle ? Who am I ? ” 

Then the Cap’n told her in a few words all he knew. 
How a gentleman came to Gap Harbor with a very 
little child in his arms, seeming to have traveled a 
long way on foot, for he was nearly exhausted. 
How he took them in and did what he could for 
them, but could not learn anything from the gen- 
tleman, excepting that the child was his ; he would 
not even tell his name. How he seemed to avoid 
everybody, and have somethin’ as weighed him 
down,” and ‘‘ as he was a-wantin’ to furgit.” That 
after a few weeks, he threw himself overboard from 
one of the fishing boats during a storm, and was 
drowned before they could pick him up. 

“ The little one,” concluded Cap’n Smith, were 
left into my charge an’ keepin’, an’ that there little 
one grov/ed up to be you.” 

Olive listened intently. Then she asked about 
her father ; what kind of a man he was ; what it 
was that seemed to trouble him so much; whether 
he didn’t leave something — anything — that would 
give a clew to his identity; and many other ques- 
tions. The Cap’n described him as best he could, 
but was unable to answer the other things satisfac- 
torily. He told her there was a letter that she 
should see, ‘'which were instructions as to the 
course to be took with her.” 

They walked back to the house in silence. Olive 
read her father’s brief letter many times alone in 
her room that evening. It was in a nervous, tremu- 
lous hand, strangely expressed, yet showing strong, 
almost violent feeling. The last words burned them- 
selves into her mind. “ Upon no accoujit give her up 
to any one claiming to be a relative. It is a lie. It 


38 


A LEGAL WRECK 


is a lie. Tell them so. For she has none. They 
shall not have her. Do not believe them. 1 say ity 
and I am her father I' 

There was no other signature than this. 

Olive was silent and thoughtful for two days. 
And then, much to the C^p’n’s joy, the clouds 
cleared away, and she shone out, her own beautiful, 
sunshiny self. She loved him all the more. And 
he was greatly relieved that he had told her. 


Ed Smith, having knocked about for several 
lo. years and experienced many vicissitudes, 
finally shipped to sea again, and had recently 
returned to New York after several long voy- 
ages. Having squandered his money in the 
gambling dens and vicious resorts near the docks, 
and renewed his acquaintance with a select gang of 
pals in various unlawful lines of industry, he took 
it into his head that he would go and see if the old 
man hadn’t got out yet, and left him something sub- j 
stantial. He needed money badly and was tired of j 
working. 

He arrived in Gap Harbor one evening late in 
June, after beating his way on such roads as he ^ 
could, and being arrested once or twice for the 
same, thereby obtaining several days’ board and 
lodging. 


He was easily recognized, although his face was 
more brutal and the marks of vice and dissipation 
were stronger and deeper. He wore a flannel shirt, 
a thick sack coat of faded gray material, and blue 
trousers, tucked into his boots. 

He soon learned that his parent still lived, and 
having fortified himself with a large glass of the vio- 
lent fluid sold at Sandy’s under the name of “ Best 
Kentucky,” he proceeded at once out the shell 
road. Striding up to the door of the Cap’n’s house, 
he dealt it a kick with one of his heavy boots. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


39 


Edward was no longer a boy. He was a full- 
grown, hardened man. He felt a sullen rage — the 
dull anger of a beast — when he remembered how 
his father used to treat him in former days, the au- 
thority he exercised, the flogging he had been in- 
strumental in giving him, and other things which 
touched his base pride. He would show him now 
that this sort of thing would not do. He would let 
him understand, at the start, that if any bullying 
was to be done, he would do it himself. In fact, he 
would frighten the old man — terrify him if neces- 
sary, and then he would get money from him easily. 
Therefore he gave the door of the house a violent 
kick. 

The Cap'n and Mazey were sitting in the parlor 
watching Olive, who was operating on the wall with 
little paint-brushes. She had not touched the deep- 
sea dado this time, but had a new “ crackshun,’’ as 
Mazey called It. She had brought home a number 
of little tubes of colors, brushes, and other artists’ 
materials, and had painted the most astonishing 
things on the wall. There was, in one place, the 
top of the sea, which was very appropriate, as it 
brought the dado with its sea-weeds and star-fish 
under the surface ; and calmly floating on this was a 
coral island with palms and cocoanuts, and sunflow- 
ers as high as trees. Behind a sunset was going on, 
which the sunflowers were quietly ignoring, for their 
faces were turned in the opposite direction — though 
it was not strange that they were more attracted 
by Olive and looked toward her ; it was a very vig- 
orous sunset, with bars of light shooting off in every 
direction, one of which threatened to set the door 
jamb on fire, and another to shatter a bracket on 
which was the model of a full-rigged schooner which 
the Cap’n valued highly. She had decorated the 
greenish wall, here and there, with the most realistic 
views of life under water. Strange looking fish 
stared motionless from odd nooks. Across one corner 
was a large cobweb of silver threads, and struggling 


40 


A LEGAL WRECK 


desperately in it was an unfortunate crab. Instead 
of a spider watching his victim there was a large lob- 
ster, and the artist had slipped into the slight error 
of making it a boiled lobster in order to obtain a 
more effective color. 

On the wall above the piano were green reeds, 
and a huge frog singing from a sheet of music, 
while other frogs peered through the reeds listening. 

She was at this moment working on some odd, 
plant-like fish, which had apparently fastened them- 
selves along the top of the dado as if it were the 
bottom of the sea, and were spreading out their del- 
icate branching arms. 

The resounding kick on the Cap’n’s door brought 
him to his feet at once. Mazey blinked his eye 
questioningly. He had a great variety of blinks, 
and this one indicated inquiry. Olive also was 
startled. She stopped to see what such a disturb- 
ance could mean. The Cap’n opened the door. 

Hallo, old man ! ” shouted a coarse voice, loud 
and grating. I’ve come back, an’ I s’pose you’re 
glad to see me, aint ye?” 

The Cap’n said nothing, but stared at the bulky 
form of his son, vaguely outlined against the night. 

'‘What are you looking at? You know me pretty 
well, I guess — an’ if you don't you will. I’m Ed, an’ 
you know me well enough.” 

" I aren’t sayin’ but what I do,” replied the Cap’n 
slowly, “ but it appears to me that you’re a-speakin’ 
a little strange for a son o’ mine.” 

" I speak the way I like ! ” growled Ed, in a low 
threatening tone, with his teeth together, and at 
the same time he crowded into the hall way. 

" I sees as you does,” said the Cap’n, simply. 

" Look here ! ” said Ed, louder, and placing a 
heavy hand on the Cap’n’s shoulder, " I aint what I 
was ! You might ’a’ got me flogged once, but you 
don’t again ! I can handle a dozen like you ! ” And 
he frowned down on the Cap’n with a contemptuous 
leer. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


41 


Cap’n Smith stood looking straight at him, un- 
moved. 

“ Have you got any money? ** demanded Ed, in a 
lower tone, but one that meant a great deal. 

“ I aren’t none for you,” replied the Cap’n. 

“ Why not fur me ? ” 

“ Because you hasn’t no call to it.” 

“ Then I’ll make a call,” said Ed, pushing the 
Cap’n roughly against the side wall and turning 
toward the parlor door. Where do you keep it, 
that’s all I want to know?” 

Mazey had hobbled to liis feet during the alterca- 
tion, and with the idea of standing by, went toward 
the hall. As Ed came to the door, Mazey met 
him. 

“ Hallo, what's this old coon doing here ? ” said 
he, and he brushed Mazey out of his way, the poor 
old fellow falling back in a heap on the floor, as Ed 
strode past him into the room. 

Suddenly he stopped as if paralyzed by an elec- 
tric shock. Olive had darted in his path, her great 
eyes blazing upon him, her white face set with indig- 
nation. He remembered the eyes, but he felt their 
real power for the first time. 

He was struggling to turn away from her, when 
she spoke, pointing to Mazey. 

Go to that poor old man you have thrown down, 
and help him to his feet ! ” 

He stared at her a moment. Then turned heavily 
round, walked to Mazey, and helped him up. The 
Cap’n, who had just come to the door, for it all hap- 
pened in a moment, came and stood beside Olive, 
She took hold of his arm quickly, and said under her 
breath : 

Uncle, he shall not hurt you ! ” 

Ed turned and looked at her, but in a very differ- 
ent frame of mind from the one in which he came 
into the house. He looked at her for several sec- 
onds. At first he seemed to be trying to under- 
stand what had happened. Then his look changed 


42 


A LEGAL WRECK 


to one of admiration. He stood, dumbly fascinated. 
His small eyes glittered. After a while he turned 
away, looking toward the Cap’n. 

“ You mistook me here,** said he in a voice singu- 
larly softened.' You mistook me for bein* in dead 
earnest. Why, I didn*t intend anythin*. I just 
got in from Australia, an* I came here quick for 
to see the ole man, an* I was only havin* a little 
lark.** 

We don’t altogether like these here larks,** re- 
marked the Cap’n, dryly. Olive turned away and re- 
sumed her painting on the wall. 

Look here, Mazey,” said Ed, turning to him, I 
never intended to hurt ye, an* if I did, I beg your 
pardon.” 

I aren’t hurted,” said Mazey, seating himself at 
a respectful distance. 

Well then, what have I done? What does the — 
the — ** and he looked at Olive, who was painting 
an additional beam to the sunset. But he did not 
finish. He stood staring at her. He had never 
before seen such beauty, such grace, such spirit. 
Especially did the spirit impress him. He had 
seen a marvelous exhibition of it. A flashing, 
intense darting of its fire. He was thrilled. Her 
loveliness appealed even to his coarse nature. It 
captivated him. He was amazed. Intoxicated. He 
did not know whether to go or stay. But he did 
not go. 

He tried to make them believe he had been entire- 
ly misunderstood. It was a new kind of enterprise 
for him, and he made every effort. He took a mar- 
velous clasp-knife from his pocket, with many and 
ingeniously devised blades, and an exquisitely carved 
handle, and told his father he brought it for him. 
He racked his brain to think of other things. After 
a time the old Cap’n began to half believe him, and 
Mazey was only too ready to overlook the incivility 
of his first greeting. It ended in the Cap’n taking 
him out in the kitchen to see if he could find him 


A LEGAL WRECK 


43 


something to eat, and old Mazey hobbling along 
after them. 

Olive remained in the parlor decorating the wall. 
She stopped the work she had been engaged upon 
and rapidly sketched in a great fish with a horrid, 
bullish head, and an ugly, venomous eye. He was 
turning himself toward her, and his body and tail 
were lost in the swirl of the water which circled 
around him. 


Word was passed about the village that Ed 

II. Smith had come back, and that he had re- 
formed. Although no one said they doubted 
it, there was a good strong undercurrent of 
incredulity. But seeing is believing. The 
evidence of the senses must be accepted if we are to 
get anywhere in philosophy. And this evidence 
very soon verified the rumor. After a good deal of 
hesitancy, it was finally admitted as a fact. 

Certainly the fellow looked pretty tough. But he 
did iiot drink. He did not go out on night carous- 
als. He did not talk blasphemously. What he did 
was to quietly apply for a job. And he got one on 
a schooner. He worked faithfully. On his return 
he was paid off. He at once bought himself some 
clothes. 

He took other work — whatever he could get. 
He spoke to few people. There was an ugly gleam 
in his eye now and then. But there was no doubt 
about his reform. No one would bother about the 
gleam, so long as he behaved himself with outward 
decency. 

The Cap’ll heard of the change. A sudden hope 
rose within him that Edward might yet make himself 
“ seaworthy.” He thought they ’had really done 
him an injustice that night he made his way into the 
house, in so rough and boisterous a manner. Mazey 
agreed with him of course. He asked Olive if she 


44 


A LEGAL WRECK 


didn’t think so. She said she would be very glad 
to. The Cap’n understood this to mean that she 
did, and was happy. That was what she in- 
tended. 

For a while he did not visit his father’s house. 
After he had purchased respectable clothing, he 
called there. His heart beat itself fearfully against 
his side upon approaching the door. It was a 
new sensation to him. His hand trembled as he 
raised it to the knocker. Also a new sensation 
— ^at any rate for his hand to tremble from such a 
cause. 

Olive was playing over the sea-music, inter- 
spersed now and then with an exquisite nocturne 
or sonata. He stood listening outside, his hand 
failing him with the knocker. Small, brutal, animal 
as was his soul, the music from her wonderful 
touch set it on fire. It was nearly three-quarters 
of an hour that he listened there. Then, as she 
had stopped, he knocked faintly. It was too dark 
for him to see the dint his boot had made in the 
door on a former occasion. But he must have 
known it was there. 

After he had been in the room awhile, Olive said 
she was tired, and begged to be excused. But he 
had seen her. She treated him civilly, too. His 
heart bounded. 

After this, he came as often as he could. His 
pulse beat more fearfully, his hand trembled more 
violently each time he approached the house. Go- 
ing in, he would glance quickly about. Was she 
there? If not, his heart sunk, leaden. His disap- 
pointment was cutting — unbearable. If he saw her, 
or that she was in the house, he was as one intoxi- 
cated. His head seemed to swim for an instant. 
His eyes bulged out. He gasped. He caught his 
breath. 

The man was desperately, madly fascinated. In 
his way, which was a strong — violent — brutal way, 
he loved mightily. It possessed him. It held him 


A LEGAL WRECK 45 

like a grasping vise upon his heart ; like chains 
forged hot about him. It was desperate — wild — > 
ungovernable. A brutish love. 

He sat and chatted with his father, or Mazey, 
But he knew not what he said. His glittering eyes 
saw only Olive. He did not know what was said 
to him. He was unconscious of his replies. He 
knew only that she was there. As for Olive, she 
hardly spoke to him. She avoided looking at him. 
When she could do so without attracting attention, 
she left the room. Or, if she was in her own room 
when he came, she remained there. But she did 
this without appearing to avoid him. She would 
not be rudo — impolite even, though he were a 
Borguld. 

After a little, he came oftener still. He could not 
stay away. Though he but watched the house, he 
must go there. Night after night he would prowl in 
the vicinity. Then he would get a job and be gone 
for a while. Returning, he would remain until his 
wages were exhausted. It was in much the same 
way he had spent his money before — this was merely 
a new form of dissipation — a madness — a delirium. 

But for all that, he was reformed. He behaved 
himself. His appearance was improved. It was 
surprising. For no one expected it or thought 
such a thing possible. Three persons knew what 
had caused this astonishing change in Edward 
Smith, — no more. One of the three was himself. 
Another, Olive Gray. Another the Cap’n. 

Edward may have been desperate — delirious — 
crushed by the foreboding that his love was hope- 
less; Olive may have been annoyed — rebellious 
— horrified that such a thing should be; but to 
the Cap*n came the conflict, and it was a sharp 
one this time. The chance of saving his son ; his 
rescue from a career of vice and crime ; the fear- 
ful consequence to Edward when the great hope 
that inspired him and gave him strength should be 
taken away — the relapse — the awful fall back to the 


46 


A LEGAL WRECK 


level from which he had been lifted, and the fearful 
plunge far below that level, in proportion as he had 
been raised above it ; the precious thought, too, of 
calling Olive his daughter in reality ; — these things, 
and many more passed through his mind — not at 
once, but as the weeks went by, and he saw his 
son's mad love ; as he saw him lifted higher and 
higher. 

But he did not swerve for an instant. The right 
course was plain to him, and he swung over the 
wheel and put the ship square upon it. 

It was to Olive he spoke, and they were alone. 
Young leddy, I take notice as Ed’ard is surprisin’ 
fond o’ you, an’ owin’ to that, he are turned to, and 
p’inted away from his bad doins, an’ is a-tryin’ for 
to sail it straight.” 

Olive waited, holding her breath. What was he 
going to ask her? Something she had feared! 
Something she had feared ! 

'' Now I was a-thinkin’ if there could be some 
way — ” He hesitated an instant. 

“ It is coming ! ” she whispered to herself. 

— some way so as when the boy larns as what 
he wants can’t never be done, — for of course you 
wouldn’t allow it — no more would \ for you — some 
way so he wouldn’t be driv back on the rocks as 
he’s jist got off of, an’ as he’d go to pieces on for 
sartain when he strikes ’em agin.” 

‘‘If there is any way, uncle, I will do it,” said 
Olive. 

“ I’ve thought it over careful,” said the Cap’n, 
“ an’ I allow it’s hard to git at. An’ yit, if you could 
a-kind o’ let it off easy-like, so it won’t carry away 
his riggin’ an’ leave him helpless, mebbe that would 
be something.” 

And so it happened that when Ed came upon 
Olive walking out the shell road, she did not turn 
back, but bade him good afternoon. And he 
spoke to her, at last, alone. And she answered 
him. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


47 


The summer vacation was nearly over. Ed 

12 . knew she would soon go away. He had 
been wildly happy, in a state of ecstasy, of 
which he had never dreamed. He had seen 
her often ; taken her out on the harbor ; gone 
to the cliffs with her ; sat in the parlor and watched 
her paint sharks and porpoises on the wall. She 
talked to him seriously. She spoke of truth, self- 
respect, manliness, in her sweet girlish way. He 
cared not what she said, so that he was with her. 

She suffered all this for the Caphi's sake. Her 
thought was to do what she could to save his son. 
If she had influence with him, she would exert it to 
keep him in the right path. She would show him 
how much better it was to behave one’s self respect- 
ably, to be gentlemanly, honorable, manly, than to 
be a rowdy and a sot. If he cared for her opinion, 
she would let him know, fearlessly, what it was. 
And so she denied herself much happiness, and en- 
dured a presence that she loathed. 

Had she known that the thoughts bencc^th that 
forbidding, low forehead were not upon what she so 
bravely uttered, but on the lips that uttered them ; 
that he was not drinking in her words, but herself, 
her rounded form, her exquisite hands, dainty feet, 
bewildering eyes, feeding his ears upon her soft mu- 
sical voice, she would have finished with him quickly. 

Because he had seen her so often, been in her 
presence, spoken with her, listened to her voice, 
been treated kindly by her for the Cap’n’s sake, he 
felt a fiercer passion, a more desperate, flaming im- 
pulse to hold her in his arms. And so it came 
about that one day, knowing she would soon go, he 
forgot himself, forgot everything, was swept away by 
his furious loving, and coming behind her, suddenly 
caught her in his arms. 

For an instant she was still, motionless, as it was 
her nature to be in the presence of danger. In that 
instant she heard the birds sing as if it were the 
screaming of whistles, and the sounds of insects beat 


48 


A LEGAL WRECK 


upon her ears. She had gone into a field for golden 
rod, and he had followed her. She moved suddenly, 
and took hold of his arms to loose them. They were 
like iron, and held her the tighter. 

“ Let me go ! — Let me go ! she said, in a clear 
voice, imperiously. 

“Why? What I done? — You aint afraid of me, 
are you?'* Drawing her closer. “It's because I 
love you ! You aint afraid of that, are you ? A man 
can love you, can't he? You knew I loved you! 
You knew it all the time, an’ — you aint said any- 
thing against it ! An' now you’re going away from 
me — going away ! An’ I — I won’t see you — I — " 
His breath caught in a sort of gasp and his hold 
relaxed a little — the thought of her absence sweeping 
over hfm. 

Olive, lithe as a leopard, and as quick of motion, 
was away from him in an instant. He saw her 
facing him indignantly, almost within his reach. 
But he had come to his senses, and did not try to 
recapture her. She was standing before him as she 
had the night he entered his father’s house, every 
muscle tense, every nerve electric, her face mute, 
her eyes glowing with the strange light that held 
him helpless, confused, fascinated. But now he 
submitted to the fascination. He let it intoxicate 
him — thrill him. For a moment he saw nothing 
else — knew of nothing else. 

“You have forgotten yourself,’’ said a voice, and 
at first it seemed to him far away, but he knew it 
was hers. “ I do not wish to see you again,” and 
she turned and walked toward the road. 

“ Wait ! For God's sake wait ! ” 

The desperate, imploring tone of his voice re- 
minded her of tne Cap'n’s simple request. “ If you 
could a-kind o' let it off easy-like.” She stopped. 
He came bounding to where she stood. 

“ What have I done ? You aint goin' to throw me 
over like that ! You wouldn’t do that ! You wouldn’t 
do it, would you? How could I help it? How can 


A LEGAL WRECK 


49 


I help it when I see you ? And he talked on im« 
ploringly, despairingly, at times even threateningly. 
His tongue loosed, he poured out all that burned in 
him and consumed him ; he promised, entreated, 
implored. His devouring desire, his brutish passion 
forced itself out in the torrent of his words. Olive 
was shocked. It was terrible to her. But remem« 
bering the Cap’n, she listened. 

She tried to speak to him calmly, telling him 
that he must not think of her in any other way 
than as a sister — and yet she shuddered when she 
saia that word. She said she could never, never be 
anything more to him : but if he valued her respect, 
her friendship enough to keep on in the manly and 
respectable life he was living, she would be very glad. 

“ Friendship ! ** he said hoarsely ; respect ! What 
are them to me ? I want 

‘‘ Very well,’' interposed Olive quickly, “ if you do 
not want them, all you have to do is to go back to 
the life you once led.” 

Ed stopped as if thinking. 

But I am sure if you do care for me you want 
me to like you,” Olive continued, hoping she had 
made an impression. And the more you show 
yourself worthy of it, the more I will.” 

His small glittering eyes turned upon her quickly, 
to see how much she meant by that. Hope revived 
in him. 

It was this hope that held him to his course when 
she was gone. Little as it was, it gave him strength 
to do anything whereby to gain his object. Under 
its inspiration he threw himself into work, not to 
be industrious, useful, self-supporting, but to get 
money. He wanted means to assist him, so that he 
could wear good clothes before her, and do what he 
desired ; buy her presents ; give himself value in her 
eyes ; perhaps even go to her wherever she might be. 
He toiled night or day, whenever work was to be had. 

Soon, by taking advantage of another's misfort- 
une, he gained part possession of an interest, so that 


50 


A LEGAL WRECK 


he worked for himself. And then he labored with a 
furious determination. A fortunate run of the fish 
enabled him to buy out the entire interest. He was 
the owner of a schooner. He made money, and 
saved every cent that was not necessary to keep him 
frorn starvation. It was not a proper and self-con- 
trolled labor. It was feverish — morbid. But money 
rewarded it. 

Although he behaved himself^ and seemed to have 
given up his old vices, it was only that his brutal, 
violent spirit was absorbed in this stronger passion 
that ruled him, and grew in intensity as he worked 
for the one object he had before him. The wicked 
gleam in his eye, the cunning, the low desires, the 
ungovernable temper — all were there. Once in a 
while the old fiend took possession of him. It was 
at -times when he realized that his chance was small 
— that she might not be for him — that another might 
take her away from him — that she was away from 
him now — he knew not where — with whom — what 
doing. This, coming upon him violently, as it some- 
times did, he would rush away to be alone, so that 
no one should see the contortion of his ugly face, 
the griping of his powerful hands at the air, at trees, 
at himself, twisting his flesh; should hear the blas- 
phemous epithets, the frenzied beseechings, the 
calling out of coarse and disgusting words of endear- 
ment and passion into the empty air. Through an 
entire night this spirit might be upon him. And 
when the fit was over, and his frenzy had spent 
itself, he would return to work. 


Olive did not return for the Christmas vaca- 
13. tion, but remained to pursue her art studies 
privately. At the Easter holidays she came. 
It was the last vacation before her gradu- 
ation. 

Ed was at the Williamsport depot when the train 


A LEGAL WRECK 


51 


rolled in. He helped Olive from the car, carried her 
small baggage to the wagon, and then pushed his 
father aside, and lifted the trunk in. He stood on 
the platform when the Cap’n took up the reins to 
start, and Olive, who had thanked him sweetly, 
asked the Cap’n if he could not ride home with 
them. 

“ SdiVtam he can,’’ replied the Cap'n, “ if you says 
the word.*' 

Now Olive did not wish it at all. But she wanted 
to start with this man in as easy and friendly a man- 
ner as possible. She saw that he was dressed well, 
and had evidently taken her advice. She had prom- 
ised to be friends with him. Therefore she said the 
word, and the three drove back to Gap Harbor to- 
gether. 

But very soon it began to be evident that Ed 
was assuming too much. He evidently imagined 
he had some right or ownership in Olive ; was con- 
stantly at the house ; watched her when she went 
out ; seemed never to take his eyes from her. All 
night he would remain outside, where he could 
command a view of her window. There was no 
effort to conceal this. Rather did he seem to 
do it ostentatiously: And he spoke to her with a 
hint of authority in his tone, almost as if she be- 
longed to him. 

It could not go on. It became unbearable. The 
Cap'n saw that it must end. 

“ I aren’t a-goin* to have you troubled no mor,e,'^ 
said he, one evening, after Olive had endured this 
for a week and a half. “ I shall give orders for him 
to sheer off." 

She thanked him, feeling that if the Cap’n could 
end the affair and save her a disagreeable interview 
with the fellow, it would be a great relief. She dis- 
liked a scene intensely — although her excitement 
carried her through one when occasion required. 
She had some misgivings, however, knowing Ed's 
violent nature, and resolved to be near at hand 


52 


A LEGAL WRECK 


when the Cap’n gave his orders/’ so that no harm ^ 
should come to him. ] 

It was not until the following evening that he had 
an opportunity of getting Ed alone with him in the 
little parlor, from the walls of which gaping sea 
monsters regarded the occupants with all the signs , 
of a healthy appetite. He had sent Mazey to the 
village for something. Olive had gone to her 
room. 

The Cap’n sat still a moment, and then he began 
with his usual directness and simplicity. 

Ed'ard, Eve been takin* obsarvations on your 
course pretty regdar, an’ it’s a-takin’ of you into 
waters where you doesn’t belong.” 

Ed stared at his father. There was a short pause, 
and then the Cap’n, looking him calmly in the eye, 
went on. “ This young leddy as jist went out were 
left with me, and I’ve tried to do the best I know’d 
of for her. She’s been eddicated an’ brung up like 
a leddy an’ she are a leddy, an’ I aren’t a-goin’ to 
Stan* by an’ see the whole thing go to smash owin’ 
to you. Therefore, once for ail, I gives orders as you 
is to sheer off.” 

Ed was up in an instant, hot, furious. His 
chair fell backward on the floor as he sprang to 
his feet, and Olive, hearing it, flew to the stair- 
way and down. She stopped at the foot of the 
stairs. Ed was doing no violence, but was shak- 
ing his clinched fist in his father’s face, and hiss- 
ing threats and oaths through his set teeth. His 
face was distorted with a fearful rage, for to have 
the Cap’n presume to interfere in the one thing 
for which he had struggled so desperately, and 
on which his whole violent animal craving was 
turned, had roused his anger to the highest pitch. 
There was no telling what he would do in a mo- 
ment. 

In the midst of one of his violent outbursts 
he felt a touch on his arm — a touch that, although 
Ught, caused him to turn quickly. ‘‘ I want to 


A LEGAL WRECK 53 

speak with you/' said Olive, in a quiet, intense 
tone. 

Well — ” began Ed, still angry. 

“ Wait, please/' She looked at him until he was 
quiet. Then said, turning to the Cap'n, Uncle, I 
want to be alone with him." 

Cap’n Smith, after a surprised look, walked out 
of the room. Olive followed him to the door and 
closed it. 

Not long after this, Edward Smith left the house. 
His face was pale. The scar on his neck, where he 
had been cut in a drunken fight, was blue. His eyes 
were bloodshot. He stumbled along the road, not 
knowing whether or not he was going in the right 
direction. Soon he found himself in the village. 
Keeping on down the street until he came to 
Sandy's, he turned to the right and went out on 
one of :he deserted wharves. Walking to the end, 
he caught at one of the upright posts, and bowed 
himself over it. He remained there until the light 
of morning threatened to point him out, and then 
went away. 

Olive had made him understand at last. During 
the remaining few days of her stay in Gap Harbor 
she did not see him, though she had an uncomfort- 
able feeling that his eyes were upon her. Once in 
the night, looking from her window, she imagined 
she saw a dark form sink quickly behind the old 
stone wall on the opposite side of the road. She 
felt a little nervous for a time, but tried not to 
think of it. With the morning sun her self-posses- 
sion returned. 

The Cap'n took her to the train at Williamsport 
with a light heart this time, for the term to come 
was a short one, and after it was over he would have 
her with him constantly. These vacations were un- 
satisfactory to the Cap’n. They were almost unreal. 
The end seemed to rush toward him with incredible 
velocity — so fast, indeed, as to leave a vacuum in 
the calendar directly after it, in which the following 


54 


A LEGAL WRECK 


days and weeks were sucked out and swelled to 1 
three times their regular size. To merely think of I 
there being no end to which he must look forward 1 
with dread was a happiness indeed. 1 

As the train moved out Olive kissed her hand to a 
him from the window; as she pressed her rosebud of | 
a mouth with that charming little neatly gloved 1 
hand, and then, looking unutterable love out of 
those deep, expressive eyes, made the daintiest little ! 
wave toward the Cap'n, it is safe to say there was ' 
not one man within sight of it who did not envy i 
that dear old salt with the white hair and round j 
jovial face, and a few stray tears trying unsuccess- ! 
fully to find a smooth path down his cheeks. j 

One man who saw it was consumed with a bitter, 
a rankling envy. It was the son of the white-haired j 
sailor, and as the train moved out he came from the 
shadow of the station building and stepped on 1 
board of it. He took a seat in the rear of the car ' 
and kept his eyes on Olive. When she changed to 
another train at Wickford Junction, he followed her, 
and was still watching her hungrily when they 
reached Portland. On the way down from there 
she saw him for the first time. He came and stood 
before her. 

Probably you didn’t expect to see me here,” he 
said, in a low, hoarse voice. 

No, I did not,” she replied. 

Shall I tell you why I came ? ” leaning down so 
that his hot feverish breath was in her face. ‘‘ It’s 
because I’m going to make you ” 

I shall speak to the conductor if you stay here,” 
she said, rising to her feet and glancing quickly up 
and down the car. ‘‘ I do not wish you tc speak 
to me,” she added suddenly, as he was about to 
answer. ; 

He stared at her an instant in silence, and ^ 
breathed hard. Several persons sitting near were j 
looking at him. Slowly turning, he went back and ] 
seated himself near the end of the car. She felt his \ 


A LEGAL WRECK 


55 


wicked eyes upon her still, although she did not see 
him again. 

At a moderate sized town he noticed two gentle- 
men conduct a young woman from the train, and 
with some difficulty persuade her to get into a car- 
riage. He saw the conductor and one or two train 
men stand ready to assist them, if necessary. He 
opened his window and heard them urge the poor 
creature in gentle tones to take a little drive with 
them, and visit a very beautiful country place. 

But l am going to Newport,*’ remonstrated the 
woman. “ I am going to Newport. They expect 
me there. The rooms are all engaged.” 

But this is a much better hotel than the one at 
Newport,” said one of the gentlemen, kindly, '‘and 
they are holding rooms for you — beautiful rooms, 
beaiitifiil rooms.*' 

She looked at the speaker vaguely — questioningly; 
then permitted herself to be assisted into the car- 
riage, and was driven away. 

One of the brakemen explained, in answer to Ed’s 
question, that there was a private asylum for the in- 
sane some miles back in the country, and they were 
taking her there. It wasn’t often they brought the 
" loons ” around this way, but once in a while they 
had a case come through on the train. 

Ed kept his eyes upon Olive all the afternoon. 
He changed when she did and always took a seat in 
the rear of the car she occupied. It was late in the 
evening when she arrived at Northampton. Edith 
Kimball met her at the train, and she was unusually 
delighted to be with her friend once more, and felt, 
besides, a sense of great relief. For a peculiar nerv- 
ousness, an indefinable fear had taken possession 
of her. There was a wickedness in those eyes that 
were upon her, and she was so sensitive that she 
felt it. 

Ed also left the train at Northampton. He 
prowled about the town for several nights, keeping 
well out of sight, however. Then he left the place. 


56 


A LEGAL WRECK 


A desperate and devilish scheme had suggested j 
itself to him. ^ 

•i 

1 


The graduation exercises were over, the 

14. diplomas presented, the farewells said, the 
promises of visits made, the packing done, 
and Olive Gray was close to her dear friend 
Edith on an East-bound train. The two were 
holding each other’s hands with a very tight clasp, 
for they were drawing near the place where they 
must separate, Olive changing for the north, Edith 
going through to Boston. 

During the last college year, they had become ; 
very dear to each other. There seemed no barrier 
between them now. Olive’s reserve about herself 
had melted in the warmth of their love, and she had 
told Edith all she knew about herself — all the Cap’n 
had told her, and a great many of her own thoughts 
and feelings besides. And Edith had told Olive 
many confidences, not concealing the fact that she 
was engaged, although she did not give any names. 
They were to visit each other, Edith going to sec 
Olive in September, and Olive returning to spend a 
long time at her home in Boston. 

When the parting actually came, neither spoke. 
They only looked into each other’s sad hearts 
through their eyes. 

It was a few hours after this, that a young fellow 
who looked as if he might have been stroke oar on 
the university crew when he was in college, while 
passing through the northern express to reach the 
smoker, noticed something peculiar about a young 
lady on his left, and as he went by turned to look 
at her. He was struck with the beauty of her face, 
but most of all by an unusual appealing look in her 
eyes as she glanced up at him. For an instant 
he had an impression that she was going to rise 
and speak to him, but she did not, and he passed 


A LEGAL WRECK 


57 


on through the car, wondering if something was not 
v\’rong. 

This young man’s name was Leverett, and he 
had been a stroke oar, and a runner, and a boxer, 
and a foot-ball enthusiast, and almost everything else 
in the college course excepting a student. Base 
ball ^*e cared little about, though he played a fairly 
good game. And now, notwithstanding he had 
been out of college for six years, he found it the 
most difficult thing in the world to take enough 
time from his athletic pursuits, to get a grip on the 
business his father had taken him into as junior 
partner. He did not realize any particular delight 
in having it read, Judson Leverett & Son, although 
he did the best he could to carry out the idea, only 
asking a day or two off now and then for the exer- 
cises of the Athletic Club, and an exceedingly long 
summer vacation. 

Even now he was on his way to one of the north- 
eastern ports to pick up a small yacht he had left 
there, and bring it down to Boston for an early re- 
gatta in which he wished to participate. 

He swung into a seat with another man, making 
no inquiries as to whether the stranger had any 
objections, and lighting an expensive cigar, threw 
the match on the floor at his feet, and carefully put 
his foot on it. 

Henry Leverett was not particularly handsome, 
but he gave an immediate impression of free, open, 
hearty good will, frankness, honesty. His clear, 
blue eyes inspired instantaneous confidence. They 
seemed to rest upon everything good naturedly, 
too, as if he saw only pleasant things. It is some- 
times disheartening to have a man look at you as if 
he had come upon something which disagreed with 
him. Leverett’s gaze expressed nothing of this 
sort. He seemed glad to have found you, no mat- 
ter who you were. It naturally followed that you 
were glad to find him. 

It is pleasant, too, to look upon glorious physical 


58 


A LEGAL WRECK 


strength — even when not exerted. The freedom of j 
Leverett's stride through the train, his easy grip of | 
the brake as he passed from car to car, the swing of ^ 
his arm, the firm carriage of his well-shaped head on 
a good-sized sunburned neck, all gave the impres- 
sion of a man who had entire muscular confidence ^ 
in himself ; and this man had. He was perfectly j 
willing at any time to take part in any sort 
of a good-natured contest, and judging from his 
appearance the odds would always be largely in his 
favor. 

The only excuse for describing him at such 
length is, that he was engaged to Olive’s very dear 
friend, Edith Kimball. But, although Olive found 
out something about him during the next hour, she 
did not learn this. Indeed she did not know of it 
until long afterward, when it was too late to do 
anything about it. 

Leverett smoked quietly for a while. The fact 
was, he wondered what the deuce was the matter 
with that pretty girl in the other car. It was the 
next car back, and he twisted around once, nearly 
grinding the other occupant of the seat to powder, 
and tried to get another look at her, but found she 
could not be seen from where he was sitting. 

Olive was really very much disturbed. In the 
first place, after being in this train a few moments, 
she missed her pocket-book. She carefully searched 
in every conceivable place, bu" it was gone, and 
with it her ticket, checks for her baggage, and 
money. In looking on the floor for it she had 
disarranged her bonnet a little, and a braid of her 
hair had come down, but she hardly thought of this 
in her anxiety, and after passing her hands nerv- 
ously over her head in a hurried manner, and 
arranging the disorder temporarily as best she could, 
she decided to find the conductor, and report her 
loss to him, hoping he could help her. 

She went toward the forward end of the car, 
which was an ordinar>'' day coach — she never spent 


A LEGAL WRECK 


59 


the Cap’n’s money on a Pullman — and was about 
to open the door, when a respectable-looking man of 
middle age stopped her. 

“ You can’t go out there,” said he, in a familiar^ 
matter-of-fact way. 

He was too well dressed for a brakeman, and 
Olive was at a loss to know why he assumed 
authority. 

I want to see the conductor,” she explained, 
and made a movement to pass him. 

“I’m sorry,” replied the man, detaining her rather 
roughly, “ but, we can’t let you leave the car.” 

“Why not — what do you mean?” asked Olive, 
with sudden indignation. “ I want to speak to the 
conductor af 07 ice ! ” But she had no suspicion, 
even then, of the villainous net that was being 
drawn about her. 

“ Now, you’d better go back and sit down,” said 
the stranger, raising his voice so that, notwithstand- 
ing the rumbling of the train, he could be heard by 
the other occupants of the car. “ You’d better go 
and sit down,” with the inflection of one who is try- 
ing to soothe and pacify, “ and the conductor will 
be here soon.” 

Another man had risen and come up the aisle 
toward them. He turned and spoke to one or two 
of the passengers in a low voice, and there were 
sympathetic looks at Olive. 

The girl stood still, uncertain what to do. She 
looked back at the people in the car. Then for- 
ward through the glass door in front of her. The 
conductor was coming through the smoking car, 
taking up fares and tickets. She turned and walked 
to her seat, observing that all eyes were upon her. 
The blood rushed to her head. She sank dizzily 
upon the cushion and covered her face with her 
hands. Then she nerved herself up, and waited. 

T^.^e conductor entered the car. He came down 
the aisle Siowly. It was his first time through, and 
he had to collect all kinds of tickets, coupons, 


6o 


A LEGAL WRECK 


and 'checks. He made change with intolerable 3 
deliberation, when a fare was paid. He punched | 
holes in large cards and gave them to people. He | 
seemed very busy, and yet Olive noticed that every r 
now and then he gave her a quick glance under 
his bushy eyebrows. What could be the matter? > 
Was anything wrong about her dress ? She became 
very nervous. It seemed as if she were in a terrible 
dream. And ail the people in the car were looking 
at her. 

He came near. He was taking the tickets from 
the people opposite. In a moment he would ask 
for her ticket. She would wait for that. She 
would — What did this mean ? He had passed 
without speaking to her — without looking at her. 

He was already, before she could recover from her 
astonishment, several yards down the car. She rose 
and called to him. He came at once. 

My pocket-book has been taken, sir, and my 
ticket was in it,” she said, hurriedly, for she was 
afraid he would go on and leave her. 

“ Oh well,” he replied, in a kind voice, ‘‘ never 
mind. You can pav your fare next time.” 

Cut I do mind,*^ said Olive, surprised at the cool 
way he answered her, as though it were quite the 
usual thing to have one’s valuables taken away on 
that line, “ I do mind. My checks were in it — my 
checks, and some money and — and other things. It 
must have been taken when I came in — can’t you do 
som ething ? ” 

Ves,” was the answer, ‘‘ yes of course we can. 
ril send the police after it at once. Don’t alarm 
yourself at all,” and he turned to go. 

'' But wait,'' said Olive, desperately. Please wait 
— you don’t understand ! " 

Oh, yes, I do, my dear,” replied the conductor, in 
a compassionate tone, “just sit down — it’s all right.” 

“ But how can I get any further, — my ticket is 
gone ! ” 

“ We’ll take you wherever you want to go. Now 


A LEGAL WRECK 


don’t worry at all.” And the uniformed agent of 
the company hurried away, for they were drawing 
up to a station. 

It was shortly after this that young Leverett 
strode through the car, and wondered, as he lit his 
cigar in the smoker, what was wrong with the pretty 
girl who raised her eyes to him with that strange 
appealing look — such very remarkable eyes. 


Twenty minutes later the train came to a 
15. standstill before the Bergmont station. Only 
a moment thereafter, there was a considerable 
commotion on the platform of the car follow- 
ing the smoker. Leverett looked round and 
saw that some orre was being forcibly taken from the 
train. From where he sat, it appeared to be a young 
lady. He rose and went toward the door. As one 
of the men who seemed to be assisting in the un- 
pleasant affair moved one sid^, he saw the same dark 
eyes which had turned on him appealingly as he was 
passing through the train a short time before. But 
now they were frightened eyes, indignant eyes, fear- 
ful — wild — despairing eyes. The poor girl’s dress 
was soiled and crushed where hands had grasped it 
— torn where it had been caught in the arm of a seat ; 
her pretty little bonnet pushed out of place ; her 
red-brown, beautiful hair fallen here and there in 
disorder; her face white ; her lips trembling. There 
had been a struggle at last, before she would come, 
and even now she clung to the iron railing of the 
platform, and when one of the men unclasped the 
clinging fingers from their hold, quickly seized the 
cast-iron wheel of the brake. She did not cry out ; 
but she was speaking breathlessly, excitedly, to any 
one who would hear. 

Believe me — believe me — I do not know these 
men — they have — stolen my ticket — I was going.to 
Williamsport — won’t some one help me ! It is — it is 


62 


A LEGAL WRECK 


a crime to let them do this. Won’t some one call a 
policeman ! ” Leverett turned away, for he could 
not bear to look at the painful, pitiful sight. He 
heard some one say they were taking her to the 
Rochdale Asylum. He noticed that the conductor 
and one of the train hands were giving assistance, 
and remembered that something had seerned wrong 
with the girl. A strange look in her eyes. It 
was too bad. But it would be all right when she 
got there. A good place, and they treated the in- 
mates with every consideration. 

So he resumed his seat and tried to think of some- 
thing else. And outside, on the platform of the 
station, they were taking Olive Gray toward a close 
carriage that stood in readiness. 

The scheme was a bold one, and it was working 
well. The railroad people had even been notified 
the day before that a patient would be taken through. 
The Asylum was too distant to make^ it likely the 
deception would be discovered. And the train offi- 
cials satisfied, no suspicion would be aroused among 
the passengers. The more excited and incoherent 
she became the better for them, and with malignant 
tact they used every means to increase the poor 
girl’s trepidation. The reward was a large one. 
Escape easy. Within two hours’ drive Ed Smith 
was waiting. 

A sudden thought came to Leverett’s mind which 
caused him to start perceptibly. Only an imaginary 
scene, but strangely vivid. Suppose — suppose a set 
of miscreants ^ould take it into their heads to 
abduct a helpless woman in some such manner, for 
the purpose of robbery or something worse! The 
idea was so perfectly terrible — so ghastly, that, 
imagining some one he knew in such a situation his 
heart seemed to stop beating for an instant. He 
had this picture before his mind, when a piercing 
scream rang in his ears, seeming to penetrate and 
leave trembling his very soul. 

Impulsive as a boy, impressionable, sympathetic, 


A LEGAL WRECK 


63 


Leverett was out of the car and across the station 
platform before he knew what he was doing. There 
was a little crowd of curious, pitying people gathered 
about, through which he shot, pushing them aside as 
if they had been cornstalks. 

Olive had just been forced into the carriage. One 
of the men was upon the driver s seat, and the other 
had climbed in after the girl, and was in the act of 
closing the door after him, feeling that the hard 
work of the job was about over. But he had one 
obstacle yet to overcome, as he perceived when he 
felt the carriage door suddenly caught and held in 
an easy but iron grasp, and looking up, saw Henry 
Leverett's pleasant and good-natured blue eyes look- 
ing straight into his. 

This is aU right of course,” said the broad- 
shouldered young fellow, ‘‘ but an idea occurred to 
me that Fd like to be sure of it.” 

Certainly,” replied the man in the carriage in a 
low voice, ‘‘ anything you want to know, though I 
hope you won’t keep us long — it’s one of the most 
difficult cases to manage we ever had.” 

^ Yes — I should think so,” said Leverett, trying to 
get a look at Olive, who had sunk back, exhausted, 
into the dark recesses of the carriage. 

‘‘Taking her to the Asylum over at West Roch- 
dale,” said the conductor, who was standing at his 
shoulder ; having said which he turned and walked 
toward his train. 

Leverett began to feel that he had made a mis- 
take. He had an idea of getting back to his seat in 
the train as speedily as possible, when a trembling, 
eager, soul-stirring voice from the carriage stopped 
him. 

“ Do not believe them ! It is all a lie ! They are 
taking me ” 

There was the sound of a blow in the carriage, and 
the voice stopped with a little muffled cry of pain. 
It was unfortunate, in the interest of art, that a plan 
which had been carried out up to this time, with 


64 


A LEGAL WRECK 


consummate skill, should have been endangered, at 5 
the moment of its success, by the commission of 
such an error. That blow was a most serious blun- 1 
der. • 

The ruffian realized this the instant he dealt it, for ; 
Leverett turned upon him. < 

“ Is that the way you treat your patients de- . 
manded he, hotly, his face almost in the carriage. | 
Our treatment is our own affair,’' replied the J 
man, and you have no concern with it.” j 

You will certainly allow me to speak to the ; 
young woman?” 

I’m very sorry, but it would not do sir; she’s 
very excitable, and you are causing her more suffer- 
ing by letting her hear all this, than you imagine.” 

Suddenly the tremulous voice from the carriage, 
speaking quickly, to say it before they could stop 
her : t 

Look in my sachel — my letters — they threw it - 
on the driver’s seat — do not believe them — do not 

” She was stopped again, but this time it was 

not with a blow. Leverett glanced up. The man 
on the driver’s seat was putting the alligator-skin 
traveling bag under the seat. Quickly the one in 
the carriage spoke, pulling out some papers : 

Here is my certificate sir. Here are all the 
necessary papers — ^just glance over them — you will 
see it is all right.” ! 

‘‘ I don’t know anything about your papers,” re- ' 
plied Leverett, but if you have no objections I ^ 
will look into the lady’s sachel,” and he moved 
toward the front wheel of the carriage. i 

I /mve objections,” quickly answered the man he \ 
addressed, starting up as if he would get out. “ That ! 
is private property! I have objections, sir! ” 

Then I will look at it whether you have objec- 'S 
tions or not,” said Leverett in the same cheerful, 
easy voice, as he stepped upon the wheel. • 

Here ! Stop that man ! Don’t let him get up j 
there ! ” shouted the other, jumping out of the car- ^ 


A LEGAL WRECK 65 

ria^e. “ Look oiit^ Jerry ! '' he added in a sharp quick 
voice. 

Here another grave error was made. The man 
upon the driver's seat had not the self-control of the 
other. He knew that Leverett must not get the 
sachel, and seeing him mounting the wheel and 
thinking of no other way to arrest his progress on 
short notice, he gave him a terrific lash with the 
short tough whip he held in his right hand. The 
next instant his ugly throat was in a grip that 
nearly split it down the middle, he felt himself 
lifted and shot through the air, the sensation of 
flying followed, and after that the less agreeable 
sensation of landing in a confused heap on the 
boards of the platform some twenty feet from the 
carriage. 

When he looked up everything seemed to be re- 
volving with great rapidity, but by watching care- 
fully when the vehicle from which he had just been 
thrown swept before him, he saw that Leverett had 
jumped down with the sachel in his hand, and was 
facing his confederate who had sprung forward to 
meet him. 

‘‘ Give me that ! You have no right to it ! Give 
it here I say ! 

I’ll look at it first,’’ said Leverett, his suspicions 
now thoroughly roused, and his pleasant open face 
fired with indignation. 

The other seized the valise as if to snatch it away. 
His arm was not quite broken, but it was lame 
for two months from the blow with which it was 
knocked away. He turned and called for a police- 
man. Fortunately for him none were in the neigh- 
borhood. He went to find one. His companion, 
who had recently taken a trp through the air, limped 
after him. They would return and make the fellow 
pay dearly for this. They would see to it ! He 
would be sorry for this! Just wait! And they 
hurried away. 

Leverett gave one look into the little traveling 


66 


A LEGAL WRECK 


sachel — closed it — turned to Olive whose white face 
was peering from the carriage, and extending his 
hand said, ‘‘ Come this way please/* 

He felt the hand he held out caught as if by a 
trembling, frightened child ; a clinging hold — an 
eager, trusting, tremulous hold. Olive had found a 
friend at last. A friend! A friend! A friend at 
last. 

All this took place in a moment. The train had 
not yet moved out. Leverett led her quickly across 
the platform and gently assisted her into the car. 


SECOND COUNT 

PROMISE UNDER DURESS 

It is very delightful to arrive in Boston. 

I. Simply to arrive. To come within the inde- 
scribable influence. To breathe it — see it — • 
bathe in it — feel its inspiration in the very 
bricks and stones under one’s feet. 

Those who have so arrived know this. Those 
who have not are ignorant of it, and seem to regard 
the matter in a humorous light. They are in the 
majority, consequently with regard to this phe- 
nomenon humor prevails. Possibly there is some- 
thing funny about it ; that the entire number of 
persons who breathe Boston air, natives, stran- 
gers, travelers, tramps, no matter what, should be 
affected in such a remarkable way. It is freely con- 
ceded that no other city has such an influence. To 
outsiders it may not be unlike an exhibition at which 
the audience is edified by the antics of those who 
have inhaled laughing gas. 

If strangers and pilgrims are so charmed to reach 
the city which was once on three hills but is now on 
three hundred, how much more delightful must it 
be to one whose home is there, and especially such 
a pleasant home as that to which Edith Kimball re- 
turned after her college course was completed. 

First, before even looking about, she had a long 
visit with her mother, who was temporarily some- 
thing of an invalid, and for that reason had not felt 
quite able to goto Northampton and see her daugh- 
ter graduate, although she had hoped to be able to 
do so. 

But Edith gave her the most complete and vivid 
account of the whole affair, and a great deal more 


68 


A LEGAL WRECK 


besides. And though Mrs. Kimball did not know 
it, it was nevertheless a fact that Edith’s description 
was much more enjoyable than the actual exercises 
would have been. For, when listening to her, it was 
not necessary to hear the class prophecy read, and 
that alone was a great gain. Edith described fully 
and vividly the most interesting part of the pro- 
gramme, adorning the account with bright comments 
of her own, graphic and effective delineation of the 
characters involved, anecdotes historical and inci- 
dental about them, and in a word made it thor- 
oughly interesting to Mrs. Kimball, who reclined 
upon a lounge in her own room, and smiled lovingly 
and proudly upon her only daughter. 

Edith, besides being an impulsive girl, was an 
impulsive talker. She was not one of those who 
simply talk as if suffering from a chronic freshet of 
words ; who create a flood wherever they appear — a 
general inundation from the melting snows of their 
vocabulary, causing universal panic and wuld strug- 
gles to escape from the rising waves of sound. Not 
that kind of a talker, or anything of a similar nature. 
It was always a pleasure to hear her. She had that 
delicate girlish grace in talking, with little amusing 
peculiarities of emphasis and a lingering upon cer- 
tain words, that would have made it charming to 
listen, whether she said anything in particular or not. 
But in addition to this, she always did say some- 
thing in particular, and quite often something very 
particular. She was bright, full of ideas, with a 
sense of humor that never failed, giving the most 
commonplace subject a sparkle and life that made 
one listen with delight. She was never at a loss for 
something to say ; the time in which to say it seemed 
rather to be what she required. It made no differ- 
ence whether the subject that occupied her thoughts 
was serious or humorous, grand, trivial, interesting, 
dry, used up, or entirely beyond her knowledge ; she 
would go right on about it, odd fancies and origi- 
nal ideas, sometimes laughable, sometimes cryable, 


A LEGAL WRECK 


69 


crowding to the front in her mind, waiting and 
clamoring for a chance to get out between her very 
animated lips. It was really to be regretted that 
there was no other way for them to escape, for often 
before a twentieth part of them pushed their way 
through, the subject would be changed, and instantly 
another lot would rise up and take their places, so 
that in this way many interesting things would be 
crowded back into her mind and never be called out 
again. 

But because Edith had an exhilarating sense of 
humor, it must not be imagined that she had no 
deep feeling. Quite the contrary. It was because 
she deeply sympathized that she quickly detected 
the ludicrous, the incongruous, the laughable. It 
was because she deeply sympathized that her whole 
soul was absorbed in whatever her mind was upon, 
so that she lived with it for the time, and con- 
sequently discovered many new and interesting 
facts about it. It was because she sympathized, 
also, that the sadness, the pain, the misery, the 
loneliness which she saw, went directly to her 
heart, and with little loss in the transmission. So 
that she could bring tears to the eyes as easily a$ 
sm^iles to the lips, the more readily because tears 
came so easily to her own. She felt with others. 
She was with them. Her life was side by side with 
the lives she knew, or heard of, or thought of. Their 
tears and their laughter were hers. She felt their 
pain and their joy as if it were her own. 

A modern philosopher of an unspecified variety 
had at one time taken occasion to inform her that 
this was all wrong; that we should never allow 
ourselves to feel anything but unadulterated joy ; 
that it was injurious both physically and mentally 
to permit the idea of pain or suffering, either in 
ourselves or others, to occupy our thoughts. 

But such a thing was out of the question with 
Edith. It was impossible. She had no material from 
which to construct the barricade of selfishness against 


70 


A LEGAL WRECK 


which the certain facts of misery, suffering and pain 
in the world about her should beat and cry out in vain. 
Her mind was not strong enough, callous enough, 
toughened enough to resist them. It may be an 
advantage, physically, to have a tough mind. But 
Edith’s was tender, and she gave that sympathy 
which is so precious, so sweet, so essentially human — 
for beasts are without it — to all who suffered, as she 
was happy with those who laughed. 

It is very possible that she did not weigh quite as 
much, and perhaps was not physically as strong as 
she might have been had her mind been out of the 
reach of the woes of others. She was rather slim, 
and looked above the medium height. Hers was a 
face of rare intelligence, illumined with a pair of the 
most sympathetic hazel eyes. She had received 
every advantage in her bringing up, and was a favor- 
ite in the rather exclusive set in which she moved. 

After telling her mother about the graduation 
for two hours and a half, she was obliged to stop, 
and she did so feeling that she had not nearly fin- 
ished. A gentleman called to see Mrs. Kimball on 
business, and as it related to some houses she was 
having built, she felt compelled to see him. While 
he was calling, Edith went out to look around the 
place. 

The Kimball house was not in the city proper, 
but in one of the handsome suburban districts which 
had a few years before been annexed. It was a great, 
square, patriarchal house, with* porches and large 
windows, and was vine-covered on three sides. The 
rooms were large, the ceilings high. There was a 
wide hall, and a broad staircase at the further end of 
it. The drawing-room was rather stately, but that 
was owing to its great size, for the furnishing was 
comfortable and inviting — broad Turkish divans, 
deeply cushioned chairs, finely carved oaken tables 
covered with books and magazines, a Chickering 
grand piano, the floor carpeted with soft, springing 
Axminster. In it one could enjoy the openness and 


A LEGAL WRECK 


71 


freedom of space, in the midst of the most luxurious 
and solidly reposeful surroundings. 

The two things, however, which contributed most 
to this enjoyment were not in the furnishing itself. 
One was a great open fireplace, overflowing, on this 
summer day, with luxuriant plants and flowers which 
seemed to be growing there. The other was the large 
conservatory that opened off at one side of the room, 
and which was kept as fresh and beautiful at this 
time of year as in winter. Palms and other tropi- 
cal plants lifted their great leaves nearly to the roof ; 
climbing vines covered the walls and festooned 
themselves here and there ; and a little fountain 
played the most appropriate music for the occasion, 
its drops spattering down on the shining leaves of 
water plants that grew in and around its basin. 

Edith went through this room and into the con- 
servatory; then she visited other rooms, and the 
kitchen, and ran upstairs to the great nursery to look 
at the doll-house of her childhood — which needed 
dusting out badly, the spring house-cleaning having 
evidently been overlooked. Then she ran down 
and out to the stables, where she addressed the 
horses in tones of affectionate endearment which 
they must have understood. Thence, after looking 
up into the hay-loft, she went about among the blos- 
soming shrubs and plants scattered over the lawns, 
and inspected the flower-beds, asking the gardener 
about his rheumatism, at which he was so greatly 
pleased that he was glad he had this affliction. 

At this moment she thought of something she 
must tell her mother before she forgot it, and hurried 
in, hoping the horrid man was gone. She met him 
coming through the big hall, and noticing that he 
limped and seemed to be in pain, spoke to him so 
suddenly and with such animation that he started 
back against the wall, and was then compelled to. 
ask her what she had said. She answered that she 
wanted to know if he was much hurt, and how he 
did it, and what it was, and whether there wasn’t 


A LlnGAL WRECK 


$omething they could do. He thanked her and 
replied that it wasn't much, —that a plank had fallen 
on his foot just before he came up, and bruised it a 
little, that Mras all. 

^ Oh, Tm so sorry,'’ she said, straight from her 
heart ; and 1 know something that will do it ever so 
much good — wait here or — or sit down,” and she 
flew upstairs. 

The man stood a moment, and then seated him- 
self in one of the easy chairs. It was only a few 
seconds before Edith was dov/n again with a yellow 
labeled bottle. 

There — when you get home — Oh don't get up — 
you must take some of this — I'm afraid it hurts you 
to stand, doesn't it?” 

“A little, Miss, but I'll have to stand up to go 
home. How much shall I take?” 

Oh no — you mustn't take any, that would be 
dreadful — why it may be poison / ” 

“ Poison ! ” he exclaimed, somewhat alarm.ed. 

Oh, it may not be, but you mustn't drink it — 
It's to bathe it in. Is the skin broken ? ” 

‘^No, but I w^ouldn't wonder if some little bone 
might be,” replied the man, becoming more mysti- 
fied. 

“ Well, then it's Just the thing. It says on the 
label, for Bruises, Sprains, Strains, Contusions, 
Burns, Scalds, Lacerations, Swelled Joints, Sore 
Throat, Ulcers, Chilblains, Bee Stings, Rheumatism, 
Neuralgia, Sore Eyes, Backache, Headache, Sciatica 
- — you must have some of those things ? ” 

'‘Yes, Miss, I guess I have,” he replied, a little 
dubiously. 

Edith looked at the list again, going over it to 
herself with little emphatic nods of the head, and 
forming the words with her lips. Now and then 
her pretty eyebrows contracted, drawing themselves 
together and upward as if she felt the very hurts 
and twinges suggested by the names she read. Par- 
ticularly did “ Bee Stings ' affect her, for she gave 


A LEGAL WRECK 


73 


a slight shudder and drew in a little short breath 
through her front teeth, giving the peculiar sound of 
one in pain. 

Suddenly she looked the man full in the face. 

Perhaps yours is a Contusion,'' she said. 

“ Perhaps it is. Miss," he admitted. 

‘‘Yes, Im afraid it is," she repeated dismally, hand- 
ing him the bottle. 

“ What am I to do with it ? " he asked. 

“Oh — yes! Take some of this — pour it out you 
know — and put water with it, and bathe the place. 
IPs very simple." 

“ How much water goes v.dth it?" 

“ Oh — that isn't — well — perhaps it says." She 
took the bottle away from him and scanned the 
yellow label again. “ Yes — here it is. ‘ Directions. 
Bathe the diseased part freely with the extract.’ It 
doesn’t say anything about putting water in, does 
it? Perhaps you’d better not, after all. But it’s 
really very good for things. It’s Witch Hazel, you 
know." 

The man thanked her very much, and putting the 
bottle in his pocket, limped away. Edith watched 
him, with her expressive face full of sympathy, and 
then went to her mother’s room. 


The next few days were so taken up by social 
2. requirements, the receiving of calls, renewing 
acquaintances with old friends, attending 
afternoon teas, lunches and receptions, and 
the numberless other things invented to occu- 
py the time of fashionable young ladies, that Edith 
found very little opportunity to talk with her 
mother — that is, to have real old-fashioned heart to 
heart confidences. There were hundreds and hun- 
dreds of things yet to say. The trouble was that 
when she did get a brief hour with her, there were 
so many matters of the present to talk over, and so 


74 


A LEGAL WRECK 


much to be said about them, that some others which 
she wished very much to tell were put off and off. 
A large number of them have not been told to this 
day. 

Mrs, Kimball knew that one of Edith’s class- 
mates was coming in the autumn to visit them. 
She knew this because she had given Edith permis- 
sion to invite her. She had often heard her daugh- 
ter speak of Olive Gray when she had been at home 
on former occasions, and knew that there was a very 
close friendship existing between the two young 
ladies. But there was something Edith had never 
told her about her friend, because she had not 
known it herself. 

One day they were lunching together at home 
quite late in the afternoon. Edith had been speak- 
ing of Olive, and wishing she were there, telling her 
mother how much she loved her, and what a charm- 
ing girl she was. Suddenly she said, 

Oh mamma,” (she could not give up calling her 
mother by that dear child-name), Oh mamma, you 
don’t know what a peculiar life Olive has had — why 
I didn’t know until last term — it is the strangest 
thing — and so sad, too ! J ust think, she has no father 
or mother or anything — not a single relative to her 
name — not even an aunt ! Think of being entirely 
destitute of aunts — life must be a barren waste ! 
Imagine waking up in the morning and knowing 
you are auntless ! I wish she could have some of 
mine ! ” and she laughed her light, rippling, musical 
laugh as she thought of Aunt Susan Duane, who 
was very peculiar. 

“ The poor dear,” said Mrs. Kimball, calm and 
serious always, as if in the shadow of a sadness; 
how did such a thing happen ? ” 

Oh, it was very sad, mamma ;” Edith’s voice was 
all tearful in a moment; ‘'you see, her father 
brought her there when she was a little bit of 
a thing, and very soon after that he died, and she 
didn’t know any one, and- ” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


75 


At this moment a card was brought in. Edith 
stopped. The servant waited near Mrs. Kimball, 
who did not seem to notice the interruption. Her 
eyes were upon Edith, fixed in a peculiar vacant 
stare. 

“There’s a card, mamma/’ said Edith. Mrs. Kim- 
ball did not move. “Mamma! — MamvCi2L\ Why, 
what is it?” 

Mrs. Kimball started a little, turned, and, taking 
the card, held it in her hand. 

“ Nothing. You say her — her father ” and 

she stopped, silent. Then she said, “ Wait a mo- 
ment,” and looked at the card. “ Say, I beg to be 
excused.” 

The servant went to give the message. Edith • 
rose quickly, and, gliding to her mother, had her 
arms about her neck in a moment. “ Mamma, I’m 
afraid you overdid yesterday,” she said tenderly. 

“ No, I am only a little nervous,” said Mrs. Kim- 
ball, rising, and gently unlocking the affectionate 
embrace. “ I really don’t care for any lunch. When 
you have finished, dear, come and sit with me,” and 
she turned and moved quietly toward the door. 

“ I don’t either, and Fm going with you now,” 
said Edith, following. 

“ No, no,” remonstrated the other, turning. “You 
will displease me very much if you don’t eat some- 
thing, dear. You need it ; you have been out all the 
morning.” 

Edith stood watching, with an anxious expression, 
the tall form of her mother as she passed out of the 
room. Dressed always in rich black, with exceed- 
ingly beautiful white hair, a large, commanding figure, 
and having a rather stately yet entirely gracious 
bearing, Mrs. Perrin Kimball was certainly a strik- 
ing object. To strangers she was rather awe-inspiring. 
To friends, respect-inspiring. To her daughter, love- 
inspiring. The indescribable subdued quiet that 
gives the sign of sorrow passed through — suffering 
that cannot be forgotten — was upon her always. 


76 


A LEGAL WRECK 


And it became her wonderfully. It added a poetic 
charm. 

When she had closed the door of her room after 
her, Edith turned quickly to the table and duti- 
fully took two or three mouthfuls of food — she did 
not notice what. Then, after hurriedly dipping 
her dainty pink finger tips into one of the bowls 
of scented water, she threw the little napkin aside 
and hastened to her mother. 

Mrs. Kimball was lying back in an easy chair, and 
as soon as Edith had pushed an ottoman close to 
her and dropped down^ upon it, with her arms in her 
mother’s lap, the latter asked her to finish what she 
had begun to tell her about Olive Gray. 

Edith related all Olive iiad told her. She became 
so absorbed in it, and so sympathized with the 
people she described, giving such a glowing and 
touching account of the dear old Cap’n’s kindness 
and goodness — for Olive had talked constantly of 
that — and entered into the story so entirely and 
self-forgetfully, that she had nearly finished before 
she noticed that Mrs. Kimball was very white — 
unusually white — and that there was a peculiar set 
expression on her face. 

“Oh, mamma!” and Edith rose erect, thoroughly 
frightened. Then a sudden thought flashed through 
her mind ; struck, beating in great throbs, into her 
heart ; thrilled her very soul. She turned away, as 
if stunned by it. After an instant she looked at her 
mother. Each saw that the other knew. 

“ Mamma 1 If she should be ! If she should 

Oh, Olive — Olive — Olive I If it should be 

true ! ” 

She stood before her mother, who said nothing ; 
who sat motionless— white. 

“ Do you think there is a chance of it, mammal Oh, 
I know you do ! I can see you do ! But I’m afraid 
you don’t think there is very much chance ! Mamma, 
dear, you have no idea what a lovely girl she is — I 
could never tell you, and if it should be that she 


A LEGAL WRECK 


77 


Oh, mamma ! and she sank down with her face 

on Mrs. Kimball’s breast, and her arms about her. 

There was a silence of several minutes, during 
which neither moved. Then Edith felt the loving 
touch of her mother’s hand, caressing her light 
brown hair gently. She raised her face to Mrs. 
Kimball’s, and met her calm, sorrowful gaze. 

You must not think of it so — so seriously,” was 
w^hat she heard her say. “ It is only a possibility — 
perhaps not even that. I have been disappointed 
many times — many times. But the — the incident 
about his death was painful to me.’' 

There was a short silence, Edith sitting with her 
eyes on the floor. 

He might have done that you know, just that,” 
Mrs. Kimball went on in a low voice ; and when I 
think of it — ” here she stopped briefly again ; and 
that I was to blame for it all ” 

“ Don’t, mamma ! Don’t think of it ! It isn’t so ! ” 
impulsively putting her hand over her mother’s lips. 

“ Yes, yes, my child,” gently pushing it away; I 
do not even pretend to myself, or to you since I 
told you the truth about it, that I had any excuse — 
any reason. And it is because you know how 
deeply penitent I am that you love your mother 
still.” 

‘‘ I would love you anyway ! ” said the girl, her 
arms about her mother’s neck again. You htow I 
would — nothing could keep me from loving you — 
nothing / ” 


Mrs. Kimball sent a note the very same 
3, evening to Richard Merriam, Esq., of the 
legal firm of Merriam & Bostwick, asking him 
to call upon her at his earliest convenience, 
as she wished to consult him on a matter of 
importance, and requesting that he send word by 
bearer when he could come. The reply, type-writ- 


78 


A LEGAL WRECK 


ten, and signed Richard Merriam per F. B., was 
brief and to the point. After the usual formula of 
date and address, it simply said : 

Replying to your favor of 19th ult. I beg to say 
that I will call upon you next week Thursday (24th) 
at 4.30 P. M.'’ ^ 

Nearly four days ! It is astonishing what a busi- 
ness that young man has,” exclaimed Mrs. Kim- 
ball. The firm had had charge of her affairs for a 
long time. Indeed, when old Merriam was living, 
he had been her husband’s adviser. As he knew 
about the property, the investments, mortgages, and 
condition of the estate when Mr. Kimball disap- 
peared, she naturally left matters in his hands. It 
was an old, staid, reliable firm then. There was no 
rush and, hurry. No appointments a week ahead to 
be kept to the second. But upon the death of 
Merriam Senior, Merriam Junior took his place, and 
since that time, which was some five years back, 
there had been a decided change. The young 
man had har'dly begun to practice when his extraor- 
dinary talent was recognized, and his reputation 
as one of the sharpest, shrewdest, most acute and 
successful young practitioners in the country spread 
and grew with rapidity. Ingenious and effective in 
argument, measuring with unfailing accuracy the 
character of the judge before v/hom he appeared; 
knowing intuitively and instantly the caliber of 
every man on a jury, he was able to adjust himself 
to the situation, and make every point tell. 

It is hardly realized what an immeasurable ad- 
vantage is gained in nearly every walk or run of 
life, by thoroughly knowing your man. If the 
salesman knows his customer ; if the speaker knows 
his audience ; if the doctor knows his patient ; if 
•<-he politician knows his constituents ; if the poker- 
^^iayer knows his opponent ; if the writer knows his 
public (and his publisher) ; and if, in each and all of 
these cases, he is able to take advantage of the 
knowledge, he will come to the surface with a few 


A LEGAL WRECK 


79 


bold strokes. But to no one is such knowledge of 
greater advantage than to the lawyer. 

There is, before the judge or judges, before every 
man on the jury, before every witness, before the 
learned counselors on the other side, before the 
accused and the accuser, the plaintiff, defendant, 
and other parties in interest, in a word before and 
around them each and every one, a breastwork, more 
or less penetrable, having spots weak and strong, 
thin places and thick ones, its character varying in 
countless ways, formed of the personalities of the 
man behind it, his likes and dislikes, opinions, prej- 
udices, hatreds, pride, ambition, ignorance, weak- 
ness, poverty, greed, sympathy, love, fear, and so on, 
and so on. Exceptionally favored is the attorney 
who sees this fortification at a glance, and can aim 
his shafts so that they will fly over or under it, or 
through an unguarded opening; who knows when it 
must be attacked and broken down before he can 
send a shot in ; who comprehends when it is impene- 
trable and indestructible. Such a man is a dangerous 
opponent and a mighty ally. And such a man 
alighted from a cab before Mrs. KimbalFs door at 
precisely half-past four on the following Thursday 
afternoon. 

He was under the medium height, spare, his chest 
and shoulders narrow, his nose quite thin and promi- 
nent. He looked younger than he was, and he 
appeared older than he was, and his age was twenty- 
nine. His thin boyish face was smooth-shaven, and 
while it was boyish, it had an old look. Sandy hair 
and a penetrating grayish-blue eye, with a pale, some- 
what impassive face, gave him a light, faded-out 
look. He was dressed in black, wore a silk hat, and 
was an inveterate smoker of cigarettes. 

Merriam told the cabman to wait, and quickly 
running up the broad steps, rang the bell and was 
shown in. 

Although Mrs. Kimball kept him waiting only 
a moment, he looked at his watch and muttered,^ 


8o 


A LEGAL WRECK 


“ I said half-past four — she ought to have been 
here/’ 

The fact was, and it is hard that it must be said, 
Merriam heartily disliked and disapproved of women 
in any form. Young, old, plain or pretty, he could 
hardly endure them, and he thought seriously of giv- 
ing up all business connected with the female section 
of the public. It was purely a business dislike, but 
as he Was all business, it was entire and absolute. 

The secret of his success was his ability to read 
character, to feel the mental pulse and take the 
mental temperature with his eyes and ears. Of 
course, with this he had the quickness of a flash of 
lightning to take advantage of his knowledge. He 
saw in an instant the proper move ; whether he 
must appeal to reason, selfishness, hate, pride or 
prejudice ; whether he must throw the man off his 
guard by an ambushed attack, or cause him to waste 
his force in violent rage. In a word, although he 
always knew what to do, and did it with a coolness 
and dexterity extremely unusual, nevertheless the 
basis of his power was the fact that he knew his 
man. 

And he didnt know his woman. That is, he 
didn’t knozv her, as he did his man. He could guess 
at her perhaps as well as anybody, but she would 
not come under any rule. His intuition failed. 
Given the same surroundings, facts, influences, and 
she would not do the same thing twice — unless you 
adopted it as a rule that she wouldn’t, — and then 
she would. It was foolish for a man with an abso- 
lute knowledge in a certain department to waste 
his effort in another department in which he had 
to proceed by guess-work. And even if, by patient 
effort and deep study, some idea were gained of her 
personality, where were you then ? What good did 
it all do when you came to the attack? Utterly with- 
out logic, swayed out of all reach by impulse and per- 
sonal feeling, and never swayed in the direction you 
expected, what could you do? It was mere waste of 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Si 


time. There was not enough in it to warrant the labor 
involved. This was Mr, Merriam’s conclusion, and 
although he was perfectly gentlemanly with the sex 
(unless he had one on the witness stand), he re- 
gretted exceedingly having to come in contact with 
them. When business compelled it, however, he 
got along as easily and quickly as possible by work- 
ing solely on their personal prejudices, which he 
quickly discovered. Or better still, if he were in a 
position to do so, paid no attention whatever to 
their opinions, favorable or otherwise, not caring 
two straws whether they were convinced or not so 
long as the result would be unaffected. 

But he was known to be so admirable a lawyer, 
so wise an adviser, so indefatigable in defending 
interests, and so quick to avenge injuries, that he 
had his hands full of business, and the half hour he 
devoted to Mrs. Kimball was torn away from much 
more important interests. 

He learned in a moment the nature of the busi- 
ness upon which she wished to consult him, told her 
it was extremely unlikely that this Miss Gray was her 
daughter, and asked if he could see Miss Kimball. 

Edith was receiving a gentlen\an caller in the 
drawing-room, and Mrs. Kimball sent word to her 
that she would like to see her in the reception room. 
Edith begged the gentleman to excuse her a moment, 
and went to her mother. She knew Mr. Merriam, 
and shook hands with him pleasantly, although ap- 
parently at too great length, for before it was over 
he began to question her. 

‘‘ Your mother has told me of this — of this matter 
of your friend at Gap Harbor. About your age?'' 

Yes, I should think so ; or perhaps ” 

‘‘ Didn't she ever tell you ?" 

** Oh yes — why she said one day " 

‘‘ Well, what was it ? ” 

It was — let me see — it was seventeen, I think, — 
but that was three years ago." 

** Then she'd be twenty now, wouldn’t she ? " 


82 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Why yes, of course ! ” 

^^Then,'’ turning to Mrs. Kimball, ‘^the age is 
correct, I believe?'" 

‘‘Yes,’" said Mrs. Kimball. 

Merriam spoke in a thin, dry monotone which ran 
easily and quickly, and had a peculiar penetrating 
quality, so that, though he always spoke quietly, his 
words shot through any other talking that was going 
on, no matter how boisterous or enthusiastic, and 
impressed themselves indelibly upon the mind. He 
had an odd manner of repeating a word or two 
now and then in the midst of a sentence without the 
slightest pause or break. It was his method of 
gaining a little time without showing, by hesitation, 
that he needed it. The habit had grown upon him, 
and he did it unconsciously now, when there was no 
necessity whatever for resorting to the expedient. 

“Does she resemble you — resemble you at all?” 
was his next question. 

“ No, I think not,” said Olive, reflecting, “ except 
that we are both very fond of each other.” 

“ Hardly to be taken as evidence,” said the young 
lawyer, a dry and crackly smile twitching his thin 
mouth aside for an instant, and a faint twinkle glint- 
ing in one eye. 

Then he rapidly questioned Edith, drawing out 
every point so far as she knew, regarding the ap- 
pearance of the man who had drowned himself, and 
not permitting her to wander from the direct line of 
investigation for an instant. She grew more and 
more annoyed when, just as she began to be enthu- 
siastic and correspondingly eloquent in answering a 
question, his cold, dry accents fell upon her with 
another interrogation, or a sharp, feelingless “ That 
is all!” or a hard, “One moment, please 1” or even, 
— and this was the most vexatious of all, a “ Yes — 
we know all about that.” In a very few moments he 
had learned of the letter which the Cap’n regarded 
as instructions. Upon this he dwelt at more length. 

“ Do you know anything about the — about the 


A LEGAL WRECK 


83 


Appearance of this letter — the style of handwriting — • 
the way it began or ended — whether written in ink 
or pencil?*' * 

‘'No — Olive didn't tell me," replied Edith, “but 
she said that when she read it she felt 

“ Yes — naturally. — Was it easy to read?" 

“No, she said the lines were tremulous, as if her 
father thought 

“ Did she tell you what it contained ? " 

“ Oh yes — and it was so sad — so desolate and 
wild ! Why it almost made me " 

“ Well, what was it ? " 

Edith gave Richard Merriam a flashing, indignant 
glance, which had not the slightest effect upon himo 
He seemed merely to regard it as a feminine charac- 
teristic which occasionally had to be tolerated before 
the reply to a question could be obtained. This 
time the delay was unusually long, for the impulsive 
girl stood motionless — really indignant. Merriam 
waited what he regarded as the usual time for such 
a disturbance and then said, “ Well ? " 

There was still silence, and Mrs. Kimball, knowing 
what annoyed her daughter, endeavored to help mat- 
ters along. “ Come, Edith, don't be foolish, dear," 
she said. 

“ But mamma — it is so perfectly vexatious to be 
taken up in this way ! Why he won't let me tell 
anything ! " 

“ What do you want to tell ? " inquired Merriam, 
in the same dry, matter-of-fact tone that always 
broke in strangely upon Edith's feeling words. 

“ You ask me a question," she said, turning on him 
warmly, “ and when I begin to answer it, and just as 
I get to the important part of what Olive said^ or 
what we really thought, you interrupt me ! " 

“ Can't you tell your — tell your mother what you 
really thought, and let me have the facts in the 
case?" asked Merriam, not at all impertinently, but 
as if he were suggesting a compromise in the best of 
faith, — which he was. 


84 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Come^ Edith/' Mrs. Kimball said, soothingly, 
** tell him about the letter." 

Edith complied, but in rather a chilly manner, for 
her enthusiasm was extinguished — which was exactly 
what Merriam desired. He learned the contents of 
the letter without further delay, thanked her, and 
said that was all. She walked demurely out of the 
room, omitting to say he was welcome or to bid him 
good afternoon, which he only regarded as an extraor- 
dinary saving of time. Edith afterward remarked in 
the hearing of several friends that she thought he 
was perfectly horrid — a very unusual statement to 
come from her sweet and charitable lips. 


As soon as they were alone, Merriam turned 

4. to Mrs. Kimball. 

‘‘ The last request in that letter, — the one hav- 
ing reference to the keeping of the child from 
her relatives, leads me to think it may have 
been written by your husband." 

Mrs. Kimball said nothing. 

“ I consider it worth while to follow up," he went 
on, “ and will have it lo.oked into if you wish." 

Why do you say, if I wish ? " she asked, keep- 
ing her voice calm with an effort. 

‘‘ Mrs. Kimball," said Merriam rising, I have just 
eleven minutes more. If we take matters as they 
are, we can arrange — arrange all that is necessary in 
this interview. But if I have to argue with you to 
establish facts that we both — that we both know, it 
will take several more meetings. At one time our 
firm was proceeding in this same matter, and would 
have followed it up, had you not instructed us to 
discontinue. Let me know, then, exactly what your 
desire is at present." 

Mrs. Kimball rose from her chair with almost a 
gasp. It was a strange picture for an instant. She, 
haughty, tall, imposing, frowning upon the young 


A LEGAL WRECK 


85 


man as if she could have crushed him. He, small, 
spare, his face expressionless, utterly unmoved, 
standing before her, simply waiting. 

There was a moment’s pause. Then Mrs. Kim- 
ball controlled herself, and speaking in an intense, 
low voice, every word emphasized by a pause before 
it, she said, My desire is that you follow up this 
matter to the end.'' 

I will send a man down early next week," he said 
at once. 

'‘Can you not — can you not see to it personally?" 
she asked ; " I would much prefer it, as you — as you 
seem to be so well acquainted with the circum- 
stances^ The last few words a little bitterly. 

" I am sorry to say it will be impossible, Mrs. Kim- 
ball ; I have not the time." 

" But don't you ever take a vacation?" she asked, 
persuasively. 

“ A what !" exclaimed Merriam. He understood 
the word, but was startled at the idea it suggested. 

"A rest from your labors," explained Mrs. Kim- 
ball. "You need it, I am sure. You don't look 
strong." 

" I took a vacation once, and it was the only — the 
only time I was ever sick in my life. Good after- 
noon," and he moved toward the door. 

" Mr. Merriam — one word," she said, following 
him. He turned, with his head in his listening atti- 
tude, a little inclined one side, and waited. " I wish 
to say that at the time Mr. Kimball disappeared I 
may not have caused as — as thorough a search to be 
made as it was my duty to do. You are my adviser, 
and it is right that you should know how " 

"All this is entirely unnecessary, my dear madam," 
interrupted Merriam. " I know all about the case." 

After waiting a moment, Mrs. Kimball asked 
quietly, " How can that be possible? You were a 
mere boy." 

" Admitted — but I took an interest in the affairs 
of the firm." Then hurriedly looking at his watch 


86 


A LEGAL WRECK 


he added, before she had time to speak again, I "{ 
shall have to — have to say good day.” 

He hurried out, jumped into the cab, lighting a 
cigarette almost as he did so, and was whirled 
rapidly down the smooth gravel drive, and out 
between the high, vine-covered gate posts. ^ 

Mrs. Kimball went to her room and lay down. 
She had been very much moved. She usually was 
when Mr. Merriam called. His summary manner 
of ending discussions regarding her business inter- 
ests — almost invariably bringing her dowm with a 
shock instead of persuasively and delicately urging 
her around to his views on the subject, generally left 
her in an unpleasant frame of mind. And yet she 
was impressed, at the same time, with his great 
ability, and suffered no small vexations to deprive 
her of his services. 

On this occasion she had been more stirred up 
than ever before. Until now she supposed him 
ignorant of the delay she had caused in the search 
for her husband — the fatal delay, as it now seemed 
possible. And yet he knew it all. He had taken an 
interest in the affairs of the firm ! 

Yet, though it was a shock to her, made doubly 
shocking by the sudden and unfeeling manner in 
which the intelligence had been conveyed, she knew 
that all the more because he was so thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the affair, should it be left in his 
hands. Mrs. Kimball was a sensible woman. That 
is, considerably above the average in this respect. 
No one is absolutely sensible. 

When Mr. Merriam said he had taken an interest 
in the affairs of the firm, he did not exaggerate' in 
the least. He was not given to exaggeration — un- 
less something was to be gained by it — and there 
was no advantage here. From an early age he had 
spent all his available time in his father’s office. Not 
studying. Not writing or drawing pictures. Merely 
watching the people who came in and listening to 
what they said, and what was said to them. He 


A LEGAL WRECK 


87 


was not twelve years old when his father discov- 
ered that he had ideas of his own about these 
people, each and every one, and that often these 
ideas were of value. Mr. Merriam Sr. might be oc- 
casionally deceived, Mr. Merriam Jr. never. When 
Mr. Merriam Sr. made a false estimate of a man and 
proceeded upon it, Mr. Merriam Jr. protested. 

One day his father took him into court with him. 
It was like taking a young duck to the water, or a 
piece of coal to the fire. Though scarcely in his 
teens he frequently gave hints to the Senior Merriam 
during the progress of a trial, or to other lawyers he 
was friendly with if Mr. Merriam was not concerned 
in the case, which broke down or crippled the oppo- 
site side. Once, at the age of fourteen, he was in- 
strumental in having an important case that his 
father was defending and likely to lose, thrown out 
of court on grounds that had occurred to no one. 
And as it was a matter of time, the plaintiffs never 
recovered. 

The boy was simply a prodigy, that was all. 
What young Hoffman at present is to Music, and 
the boy Wexley to Sculpture, was little Richard 
Merriam to the Law. From his criticism of the 
arguments to which he listened with unflagging in- 
terest, it was evident that he recognized the vital 
importance of adapting them in construction and 
manner of delivery to the personality of the Court ; 
this even before soundness of logic or brilliancy of 
oratory. 

His father was a large man, and a fine impressive 
speaker. With an audience, and perhaps with most 
Judges and Juries, the heavy and positive manner 
of stating a thing and drawing an inference is most 
telling. But one day as the Senior Merriam was 
beginning an argument before a Circuit Judge,^ — a 
small-sized man with a large head, he was inter- 
rupted by a pull on the sleeve. 

“You’ll lose it if you don’t come down — that man 
doesn’t want to be bullied,” whispered the boy. 


88 


A LEGAL wreck: 


‘‘How do you know?'^ hastily inquired the 
father. 

“ Don't I see the man?’' was the reply, 

“Nonsense!'' and the elder -proceeded, and got 
into trouble in three minutes. He was interrupted 
and called to order, and finally lost the case. 

Richard was so disgusted that he did not speak to 
his parent until the next morning. 

It will readily be understood trom the foregoing, 
how this young man happened to take an interest in 
the affairs of the firm at an early age, and why he 
was so thoroughly posted upon the facts in the 
Kimball case. 

While Mrs. Kimball was recovering her strength 
and equanimity, something occurred to her that she 
had forgotten to say. She therefore wrote a hurried 
note to Mr, Merriam and sent it immediately. In 
it she begged that if, upon investigation, Olive Gray 
were found to be really her daughter, she herself 
should have the privilege of breaking the news to 
her. 

Merriam was not at his office that evening when 
the messenger came. He therefore found the note 
with his regular mail the next morning, and talked 
the reply off to the stenographer in the same monot- 
onous tone in which he had dictated the score of 
answers that preceded it. “ Mrs. Perrin Kimball — 
South Myrtle Avenue — Dudley Park — Dear Mrs. 
Kimball — In reply to your favor of yesterday just at 
hand — I beg to say that your wishes shall be re- 
spected and the young lady — What's this?'' 

“ From Judge Pardee, sir," said the office boy, 
who had brought a note. Merriam opened and read 
it. 

“ Send over and say I will consent to the post- 
ponement if he will seiwe me with his affidavits two 
days before the hearing — have you got that ? " 

“Yes sir," said the stenographer, who knew he 
was addressed without any apparent sign of it. The 
office boy went out quictl}/. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


89 


— Kept in ignorance of anything that may be 
developed — Respectfully — Chas. E. Stetson Esq. — 
Hudson Pump Co. — 51 1 Water St. — City — Dear Sir 
— Your favor at hand — And on he went until the 
end of his morning mail was reached. The stenog- 
rapher then left his private office and Merriam took 
down several volumes bound in yellow brown leather 
and began a careful search for something. 

A telegram was handed in shortly after. He read 
it and rang the bell. The office boy came to the 
door and waited. After finishing what he was read- 
ing Merriam said, while turning over the leaves to 
find another place, See if that Perrin Kimball 
letter is gone yet — if not, stop it and send in the 
stenographer.'' 

It had not gone. The stenographer came and 
stood near Merriam's desk with his note-book in his 
hand. 

‘‘Add this to Kimball: P. S. I have decided to 
go down and attend to the matter personally, but — 
nave you got that ? " 

“ Yes sir." 

“ It will be some days before I can get away — • 
that's all" 


The train would have left Bergmont while 
5, Henry Leverett was occupied with the men . 
who were trying to take Olive away in a close 
carriage, and thus fulfill their part of the 
devilish bargain, had not the conductor seen 
what was going on, and been interested in the out- 
come of it. Therefore he held his train a moment, 
and in that moment the affair was oven 

But as he gave the signal to the engineer, and the 
heavy line of cars moved slowly and solemnly out of 
the station, he felt quite certain that the impulsive 
young fellow had made a grave error and got him- 
self into trouble. So did the little crowd of bystand- 


90 


A LEGAL WRECK 


ers, baggage men, track men and loungers who had 
witnessed the affair. The final catastrophe, after 
Leverett had thrown the man from the box of the 
carriage and seized the little sachel, came so quickly 
that no one comprehended it. 

Therefore it was that a moment or two later when 
the conductor came upon Leverett hurrying back to 
see if he had any cologne or salts in his valise, which 
was in the Pullman, he spoke to him as follows: 

Fm very much afraid sir, that Fll have to hand 
you over when we get to PortianU;*’ 

Oh, by Jove ! said Leverett, suddenly, ‘‘ I never 
thought of that ! Those fellows ! That's a shame ! 
Can't you telegraph back?" 

It won’t do any good, my friend, the)^’!! telegraph 
ahead. I dare say there’s an officer waiting for you 
now." 

‘‘For me! What do you mean? Hold on a 
minute — I want to get something out of my valise — 
those ladies in there are afraid of her yet,” and he 
brushed the conductor aside and disappeared into 
the next car. 

Soon he returned with a silver case in which was a 
bottle. He hurried to Olive, who was leaning back 
against the car window looking very white. 

“ I don’t know that cologne is, good for anything," 
said he, rapidly unscrewing the top of the case, “ but 
it wouldn’t do any harm even if you — ’’ He had 
slid out the bottle, and it contained a dense black 
liquid. 

“ By Jove — that’s ink !" said he, standing confused. 

Olive smiled faintly. A shadow of color spread 
itself over her face. 

“ I forgot that I filled it with -You see I’m go- 
ing on a yacht, and cologne isn’t much use there 

I’m really very sorry that this occurred," and he 
glanced helplessly about the car. 

“ Thank you, it’s no matter. I feel better and don’t 
think I need anything at all," said Olive, and then he 
felt a wave of gratitude surge out toward him, and for 


A LEGAL WRECK 


91 


a moment had an impression that she had spoken it 
with her lips. So strong was this feeling that he was 
oii the point of making some sort of reply, when it 
dawne'd upon him that she had said nothing, but 
was only looking at him from the depths of her dark 
eyes, and that there were tears in them. 

I’ll go back and see if I can’t find — oh — much 
obliged.” The latter to a lady who turned and 
proffered a bottle of smelling salts from the seat 
in front of Olive. He took it and handed it to her, 
saying: ‘‘There you are. I thought something 
would turn up.” 

Olive thanked him and smiled again faintly. 

The lady in front arose and came round to her, 
and soon after several other ladies in the car, re- 
assured by the fact that there were no demoniac 
shrieks and wild laughter proceeding from where 
Olive sat, went to her to see if they could be of 
assistance. Curiosity then set in, and it was not 
long before every lady in the car, and several from 
the next one, were crowding about her. 

Leverett, seeing that the young lady would now 
be taken care of, took the opportunity to withdraw. 
He felt that his part of the work was done, and was 
afraid he would be thanked or something of that 
kind, which would be embarrassing. As he made his 
way through the car the masculine portion of the 
passengers, which was now left high and dry, the 
feminine element having been drained away, tried to 
stop him with questions and compliments. Some 
of them rose and pressed along after him, so that he 
found himself quite surrounded when near the rear 
door, and had to stop and say a few words. The 
conductor came in while he was in this situation, 
and pushing through the throng addressed Leverett 
in a tone which showed annoyance. 

“ Now look here, my friend, how about that lady’s 
ticket? It was only to Bergmont, and I took it up.” 

“How’s that ?” inquired Leverett. The gentle- 
men gathered about, interested. 


02 


A LEGAL WRECK 


“ Why those men who had charge of her gave me 
her ticket as far as Bergmont, that’s all, and here 
you’ve got her on the train again. What have / got 
to show for it ? ” 

'‘A damned thick skull,” replied Leverett, in a 
pleasant voice. 

There was a laugh from the passengers who heard 
this, and more joined them. 

“ Look here,” said the conductor, flushing — but it 
was noticed that he did not approach any nearer to 
the young stalwart before him, look here, you’ll 
have to be a little careful before you try to run t/iis 
road ! We know what we're doing. We were noth 
fied by the Rochdale people three days ago that this 
case was coming up. They’ve wired on to Portland 
by this time, and you’ll find a nice little warrant 
waiting for you.” 

‘‘You’re entirely mistaken, conductor,” replied 
Leverett ; “ if there’s any arresting when we get in, 
it will be performed on the men in charge of this 
train, from you down to the news agent. You will 
then have an opportunity of answering for having 
permitted a lady passenger to be maltreated in the 
way she was, — permitted! By Jove, you actually 
assisted those two devils — actually assisted them ! 
Yes, and you came within an ace of convincing me it 
was all right, after I went there to look into it ! ” 
And Leverett felt his indignation up again, and he 
showed it on his open, honest face — so plainly did 
he show it that the conductor thought it expedient 
to retire several steps, and move aside still further 
as the young fellow pushed through, and, opening 
the door, left the car. 

An investigation followed, and Olive was ques- 
tioned at considerable length by the ruffled ticket- 
taker. He gradually realized the situation, and when 
he did; he was a very different man. Seeking out 
Leverett he had a quiet talk with him. He hoped 
no complaint would be made, and that the affair 
might be kept as quiet as possible. He had been 


A LEGAL WRECK 


93 


completely deceived. The men came to him with 
a certificate and everything in proper form ; they 
told him the lady was peculiar, always having the 
idea that something had been stolen from her and 
that she was being forced to go to prison. Every- 
thing in her actions corresponded to this. How was 
he to know? 

The train rolled, clanging, into the Portland depot. 
The chief of police, with several officers, was wait* 
ing for it. Dispatches had been received from Berg- 
mont, and they wanted full particulars. The train 
for the Northeast was held back until all possible 
information had been obtained. The conductor and 
brakemen were placed under arrest, and held for 
examination. Olive’s baggage was picked out, and 
the checks on the trunks secured by the detectives, 
so that the corresponding checks might be quickly 
identified should they appear. They also took the 
three tickets which the scoundrels had given. 

As for the young lady who was most concerned in 
the bold piece of villainy, she had regained her tran- 
quillity, ^d went through the searching examination 
with such grace and quiet composure that she won 
the admiration of the burly officers, and even of the 
chief himself, who handed her into the train and 
gallantly raised his hat as it moved out. Her trunks 
had been re-checked and she was passed through to 
her destination. This was before the Interstate 
Commerce Law — but that would have made no dif- 
ference. 

Leverett had also been questioned, and he exhib- 
ited a good healthy desire to bring those fellows to 
justice.” He even took one of the officers aside and 
said, If you caught those chaps, would there be 
any way by which I could see them privately for 
a few moments ? ” 

What do you mean ?” asked the man, looking at 
him with some suspicion. 

^‘Oh, Fd like to see them, that’s all. Say — see 
here. Between you and me, Fd like so much to get 


94 


A LEGAL WRECK 

my hands on that fellow’s throat again, that if five 

hundred dollars would be any object ” 

Oh, I see,” said the officer, smiling. I’m afraid 
it couldn’t be done. At any rate, the first thing is 
to get our hands on them.” 

It ended in Leverett’s offering a liberal reward 
for the apprehension of the miscreants, and having 
somewhat relieved his feelings by so doing, he re- 
sumed his seat in the train. 


As a general thing, when Leverett had before 
6. him a magazine devoted to yachting and 
other outdoor sports, it was not a difficult 
feat to keep his attention upon it. For this 
reason his conduct, after he had seated him- 
self, and taken Outing from his valise, was unusual 
and astonishing. He held the book before him for 
some time — indeed he did not know how long, before 
he discovered that no reading whatever had been 
going on. He was as ignorant of the article on the 
page before him as if it had been in Chinese. He did 
not even know the title. 

At first he was unaware what had occupied his 
thoughts. It certainly was not the rescue of that 
beautiful girl in the forward coach — that is — the 
young lady in there. He considered that as some- 
thing done and out of the way — and — wait — yes — 
He began to remember. It was a face that had been 
in his mind — only a face, and very pale always, with 
eyes that seemed to speak to him — eyes he could not 
forget. First it was a glance, appealing, asking for 
help, searching for a friend; then a fearful, fright- 
ened, despairing look ; after that, an eager, white 
face, eyes waiting with a gleam of hope; then, 
^-^henlT^: hel3 out his hand, it was one great joyous I 
have found[^ /ou ! ” and afterward, from their deep- 
down depths,4iiT a' brief instant, he was overwhelmed 
with a heartfelt gratitude. That was all. He said 


A LEGAL WRECK 95 

it to himself. That was all. And then he took up 
his magazine and tried to read. 

It was a failure. He did not see the article before 
him. He saw the face. Those wonderful eyes spoke 
to him again. And the train thundered on. And 
the sun began to come very slantingly through the 
windows. 

Finally Leverett flung the magazine on the seat 
at his side, and rose up blindly. He had come to a 
sudden determination, which was to go forward and 
see that face again-^if it were still on the train. But 
as he looked, it was there before him. Olive Gray 
had come into the car, and stood there, a little flush 
of color mounting to her face. 

I am going to change at the next place — and I 
came to 

Fm awfully sorry you had all this trouble — 
really. And I was just going in to look you up; 
now, if Fd been a little livelier I might have saved 
you this crossing between the cars.’' 

‘‘ Oh it was nothing,” said Olive glancing down, 
for his eyes were looking at her with a frank admira^- 
tion ; I’m used to climbing about— and rather like 
it.” 

Leverett felt that this was his last opportunity of 
seeing this very charming girl, and he was making 
the most of it. Fler face was certainly beautiful, 
and wonderfully expressive, and a beam of sunlight 
glinting through some tinted glass at one of the 
upper windows touched her hair on one side into 
glowing, quivering threads of copper bronze. When 
he saw the lithe, graceful figure it was not at all 
difficult to believe her modest little assertion that 
she was accustomed to climbing. 

His silent admiration might have continued some 
little time had he not suddenly become aware that 
she had raised her eyes and was looking in his face. 

“ I want to thank you,” she said, with a helpless 
expression, “ but I — can’t.” 

“ You have,” replied Leverett quickly, more 


96 


A LEGAL WRECK 


than I deserve. It was nothing at all. Do sit down 
here — I didn't mean to keep you standing like 
this." 

“ No — I can’t, really. I must go back to the other 
car. My things are there." 

Let me go with you then, and help you off the 
train with them." 

Thank you," she said simply. Then she turned 
and he followed her. They went through several 
cars, and across as many jumping and quaking plat- 
forms where the gusts of wind tore madly. But a 
strong arm and a steady hand supported her — a 
hand in which she had perfect trust, for she had taken 
it once before. 

They had hardly reached Olive’s car before the 
train began to slow up for Wickford Junction, where 
she was to take the branch line. When it had come 
to a stand-still, Leverett took her sachel and one or 
two parcels in one hand, and after stepping down, 
turned and offered her the other. She sprang lightly 
to the ground, and would have taken her sachel 
from him, but he would not permit it. 

Is that your train ? " he asked, indicating a line 
of cars on a siding, with a peaceful looking loco- 
motive quietly smoking at the head of them. 

'‘Yes. Will you have time?" following him as he 
moved toward it. 

" Lots of it," said he, cheerfully, and he turned 
and taking her hand again, led her protectirigly 
through the throng of passengers, baggage-men, 
porters, and other varieties of railway people. He 
said it cheerfully, but he had a very peculiar feeling 
as he glanced down at that trusting girl at his side. 
It so happened that at the very same moment she 
glanced up at him, and their eyes met. 

When he had placed her sachel and parcels in a 
seat, he stood irresolute an instant, with a new 
thought. 

“ Thank you," said Olive, her eyes full upon him, 
and a little bit of a choking sensation rising in her 


A LEGAL WRECK 


97 


throat, for she felt his kindness deeply ; thank you, 
— for thisf she added quickly, I don’t know how 
to thank you for the other. ' 

‘‘ The other's all right,’’ said Leverett. ‘VYou don’t 
seem to realize that you have a better language at 
your command than — than the kind that is usually 
spoken.* 

Good-bye.” In a faint voice, holding out her 
hand to him, I don't — want to hurry you, but Fm 
afraid you’ll miss your train.** 

“ Good-bye,” said Leverett, taking her hand in 
both of his. 

And then she said with a desperate little effort, 
looking in his face, ^ Won't you please — tell me your 
name ? * 

^ Certainly — glad to, because then you will give 
me yours. Fll write it down for you.” He re- 
leased her hand which he had been holding, and 
felt in his pockets for a piece of paper. ^H’ll write 
it down for you, so you won’t forget it.” 

Oh, I won’t forget it 1” she said quickly. But he 
had pulled out a bunch of papers, and was looking 
for a blank piece. 

‘‘ There’s our business card,” said he, turning out 
a piece of pasteboard with the firm name printed 
thereon, but that won’t do any good, because all I 
am there is son. This’ll do,’’ and he scribbled his 
name on an unused portion of a letter, and tore it 
off. Can you read jt said he, looking over it as 
she did, and bending so close to her that a rebellious 
wift of her hair which had become quite uncontroll- 
able was blown in his face by a very accommodating 
breeze from the window. Even in that hurried mo- 
ment he realized that it had a delicate fragrance of 
its own, sweeter than any artificial perfume. 

But this was only an instant, for she turned to 
him quickly, and brushing back the truant lock, 
and tucking it under the masses of her hair with 
a pretty severity, answered, Fm afraid I can’t — 
quite.^ 


98 


A LEGAL WRECK 


‘‘ I don't wonder," said he, it's Henry Leverett.'* 
And mine is Olive Gray. Oh — there's the bell — 
I'm afraid you'll be left.'' ^ 

“ I think I d prefer to be," said he quickly, if you ^ 
would let me look out for you to the end of your 
trip." 

“ Oh, no, you mustnt ! I shall be perfectly safe — 
this conductor knows me — they only have one, you 
know." 

Leverett at that moment wished they had a hun- 
dred, and that they were all scoundrels. 

‘‘There! Your train is moving! Can you catch 
it ? " said Olive, quite excitedly. 

“ I can if you tell me you do not wish me to go 
with you," replied Leverett, in a Jow, earnest voice 
. that others now in the car could not hear. 

“ I can't tell you that," said the girl, returning his 
frank, blue-eyed look with one from her deep brown 
eyes, “ but you don't know how far " 

“Then I can’t catch the train,* he stopped her by 
saying emphatically, as if that settled the matter. 
And it did. 


There was a moment’s silence between them, 
7. for now that this phase — or, as it might be 
more appropriately called, this Division of 
the rather unusual line of Railroad occurrences 
which had so hurried on their acquaintance, 
was suddenly ended, it left them rather at a loss 
what to begin the next one with, and they stood 
looking at each other as the train they had just left 
moved rapidly away, the locomotive puffing and 
straining furiously. 

Suddenly Olive exclaimed, “ Oh — your baggage ! 
You left it there ! " 

“ That's a fact," admitted Leverett. “ I suppose 
I'll never see that valise again." 

“ Can’t you telegraph ? " she asked. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


99 


“ A good idea/' said he, starting toward the door ; 

I can wire the Chief of Police at Bangor and have 
it arrested on arrival/* He left the train and dis- 
appeared into the telegraph office. Olive, watch- 
ing him, sat down slowly, and found herself hoping 
he would not miss this train. 

It had actually started, however, before she saw 
him emerge from the office, and with an easy bound 
or two spring lightly upon the step. • He came in 
and seated himself by her side. It was the first 
quiet moment they had had together. 

Where are you going, anyway?** was the easy 
manner in which he began the conversation. 

To Williamsport,** she answered, and Vm 
afraid it*s ever so far from where you want to go.’* 
It*s exactly where I want to go,** he rejoined, 
pleasantly, ‘‘if you*re going there. I really think,** 
he went on, noticing that what he had said had 
slightly embarrassed her, for a faint flush came into 
her face, “ I really think. Miss Gray, that as I started 
out to see you through this thing, I have the right 
to finish it up.** 

“Tm sure you have if you want to.** And then 
she said in a lower tone, with feeling in every word, 
“ How good — \\o\v good you were to begin.** 

She turned away from him toward the window, 
and in a moment added, without looking at him, 
“ If you hadn*t, I don’t know what would have be- 
come of me ! ** 

“ By George, those fellows were terrors ! ’* he said 
with sudden indignation. She turned her face to 
him quickly, and he saw that it was very white. 

“ Look here, don’t think of it ! What’s the good? 
Listen ! ** he said, for she turned away again, “ I 
want to tell you something. It’s very important ! ** 
She turned to him. 

“ Where did you — where did you come from ? ” 

And then they both burst into merry laughter 
at his clumsy but good-natured attempt to divert 
her thoughts. When they were serious again she 


L 


ICO 


A LEGAL WRECK 




answered his question by saying, “ I came from ' 
Northampton. I have been to school there.'’ ’ 

‘‘ Not at Smith ? ” 

*‘Yes.” Nodding her head once daintily, and 
looking to see what then. • 

Why I know a — ” He stopped. 

Something prevented him from going on and tell- 
ing her that he knew Edith Kimball. He could not 
mention her name. There seemed to be no reason 
for this — and yet he simply could not. Therefore 
he changed the subject quickly. Afterward his con- 
science spoke to him in strong language. i 

They became very well acquainted, these two i 
young people, in the short ride from Wickford 
Junction to Williamsport. It was not really such a 
very short ride, but it seemed so. Olive told him ; 
how Cap’n Smith would be waiting for her, and that 
they would have to drive seven miles before reach- 
ing home. She said the Cap’n would be pleased to 
see him, and would certainly invite him to return 
home with them, though of course it was so far 
she was afraid he could not. Leverett told her he 
must leave Williamsport as soon as possible and , 
resume his journey, and therefore, though he would 
be greatly pleased to do so, it would be impossible ' 
for him to accept any invitation which the Cap’n 
might be so good as to extend. He said he hoped 
he might meet her again some time — though he felt 
in his heart that it was impossible. Indeed, as they ; 
drew near the end of their journey together, a sud- ^ 
den conviction came upon him that it would be bet- \ 
ter if he had not obeyed his first impulse ; it would 
be better all round if he had gone back to his valise 
and his seat on the Bangor train. 

The Cap’n was astonished to find Olive accompa- 
nied by a stalwart young man with blue eyes, light 
closely curling hair, and a sandy mustache. Olive 
at once introduced Mr. Leverett, and explained that 
he had been of great assistance to her on the jour- | 
ney, ^reat assistance, and that he was going back on j 


A LEGAL WRECK lOI 

the train in the morning; she would tell him about 
it when they reached home — she could not now. 

Then, sir, I has to thank you aforehand for that 
consarnin* which she'll tell me about arterwards/' 
said the Cap'n, feeling that he had made quite an 
elegant little speech. He gave Leverett a hearty 
grip that was returned as heartily, and that was appre- 
ciated on both sides, and invited him to return home 
with them, saying he could either ‘‘ set in the starn- 
sheets along o' one o' the chists," or, if he preferred^ 
he could ^^set for'ard and work the steerin' gear." 

Leverett felt compelled to decline the invitation, 
though with a great wish in his heart that he could 
accept. The Cap’n left him and went to look after 
the trunks. He looked round for Olive. She was 
standing near the horses, her face away from him. 
He went toward her quickly. She heard him com- 
ing, and turned. He had intended to speak to her. 
It was the last opportunity he would have. He had a 
dozen things on his lips to say. But he said none of 
them. He stood before her and was silent. Neither 
of them spoke for a moment. Then he stammered 
out, ‘‘ I — I think I won't wait. Good-bye Miss Gray." 

Olive put her hand in the one he extended and 
said quietly, Good-bye." 

He held her hand an instant. Then released it, 
and walked rapidly av/ay. 


Although the locomotive was in the habit of 
8. getting up at an early hour every morning 
% — Sundays excepted — and taking his bath 

and rub-down, and light breakfast of thinly 
cut shavings and hashed wood, to be soon 
followed by a heavier meal of logs and coal, pre- 
paratory to hauling the train from Williamsport 
to Wickford Junction, Cap’n Ed’ard Smith arose 
the following morning at a much earlier hour. In- 
deed, such a start did he get over the aforesaid loco- 


102 


A LEGAL WRECK 


motive that he arrivecf in Williamsport before the 
grimy monster was out of bed. It was a good hour 
before the time for the train to leave. 

The Cap'n proceeded directly to the single hotel 
which Williamsport complained of, and asked the 
proprietor, who was shaving himself in the wash- 
room, and whose name was Fuller, whether Mr.v^ 
Henry Leverett had come on deck yet. 3 

Say, Cap n, do you know that man ?** asked the j 
proprietor, eagerly. | 

I cannot say as I knows him thorough^^ replied the , 
Cap'n. but I knows him well enough to know that 
he’s a-goin' back to the Harbor along o* me, or else 
Fm a-goin to some other place along o’ him.” 

It will be seen that Olive had told the Cap’n about 
the villainous attack upon her and of Leverett’s timely 
interference and her rescue from what might have 
been worse than death. 

Wall, sir,” rejoined Fuller in a loud voice, com- 
ing toward the Cap'n, his chin covered with lather, 

I’m out fifty cents on that chap unless I can git a 
hold of him at the deepo if he should try to leave.*" 

The Cap’n was surprised, and asked for an expla- 
nation, which the proprietor was only too willing to 
give. 

‘‘ The man come here an’ signed in the register, an’ 
ast for the best room we had. He looked all right — 
darned if he wasn't a good lookin’ fellow now, an’ I 
wouldn't a thought it of him. I marked him down 
for the bridle chamber, an’ he went in an’ et a hearty 
supper, an went out as if he was goin' on a stroll, an’ 
that’s the last thet was seen of him.'’ 

This did not seem possible to the Cap’n, and he 
said so. He asked if they were sure he was not 
asleep in his room. The proprietor at once took 
him there, and they looked all about, even under the 
bed, and in the closets. Finally the Cap'n said he 
would go over and watch for him at the train. 

‘‘ You needn't bother yourself,” said the other. 

“ I’ll attend to that — don’t you be afraid.*' 


A LEGAL WRECK 


103 


Now the Cap’n was not in the least in doubt as to 
Leverett’s honesty, and besides he did not want the 
man who had assisted his Olive in a time of sore need, 
annoyed for a mere trifle. He therefore offered to 
pay the bill himself. 

“ Why, do you owe the feller anything?'' • 

I owes him so much," replied the Cap’n, that 
there aren't anythin' as I've got what he couldn't 
have for the askin'." 

Wall, if that's really so, I don't mind takin' the 
fifty cents of ye." 

Mr. Fuller's claim was immediately satisfied. 

The train left for Wickford, and Leverett had not 
appeared. The Cap'n was puzzled, and began to be 
a little alarmed as well. He felt certain that such a 
man would not do a small or mean action like swin- 
dling a hotel out of a meal. It was that very cir- 
cumstance that made him feel anxious, and fear that 
something had befallen the young fellow. It was 
possible he had been followed by the scoundrels 
whose horrible purpose he had frustrated ; — perhaps 
there were confederates on the train and they had 
come with him and taken some villainous revenge. 

He finally laid the matter before the town author- 
ities, and a search was made at once. But the miss- 
ing man could not be found, nor could they learn 
anything about him. The only light upon the mys- 
tery, and it was a very faint one, was the fact that 
two or three loungers who were occupying chairs 
near the door of the hotel after supper, had seen a 
man come out who answered the description of 
Leverett, and turning to the left, walk rapidly in the 
direction of the river. 

They searched all along the docks and the banks 
above and below the town, but there was no trace. 
Finally it was given up. 

At a late hour that night the Cap'n reached his 
house on the shell road. Olive had been waiting for 
him. As he came along the veranda- she noticed 
that his step was heavy and slow. It was so differ- 


104 


A LEGAL WRECK 


ent from usual that she was filled with alarm — • 
not knowing but he had been ill — or perhaps hurt. J 
She opened the door for him. He came in silently. ! 
She stood watching him. ' 

‘‘ What is it, uncle ? she finally asked. i 

‘‘ I aren’t seed him,” replied the old man, sadly. J 
‘‘ Why, where was he ? ” she inquired breathlessly. ^ 
“There aren’t nobody as kin tell what has become i 
of him, an’ I — I’m afeard as those men as he inter- j 
fered with has done harm to him for doin’ it.” ' 

A low cry escaped from Olive. The Cap’n started 
toward her. 

“No no — tell me!” she whispered, motioning 
him not to come to her. i 

He told her all he could of the strange disappear- 
ance and the fruitless search. She listened without 
moving ; her eyes darkening strangely — indescribably. ; 

When he had finished she stood a moment look- | 
ing at him. Then she said, almost in a whisper, 

“ Good-night,” and went to her room. 

After she was gone, the Cap’n sat for a long time ; 
motionless, his head bowed down. Then he slowly : 
rose and went to the locker under the window — the ‘ 
chintz-covered locker where he kept his most precious ^ 
things. Opening it and putting in his arm he drew 
out the old Calcutta paper, which, upon special 
occasions, he used to divert his mind. Until nearly ^ 
morning he sat with it before his face, spelling his 
way slowly through the story of a shipwreck that 
particularly took his fancy, and when he had come 
to the end he read it over and over again. 


Edward Smith, waiting for the scoundrels he 
9. had employed to deliver Olive Gray into his 
hands, his mind vulturous, feeding upon his 
own carrion imaginings, was a most repulsive 
spectacle. Everything had been so planned 
that there would be no chance of escape for his vie- 


A LEGAL WRECK 


105 


tim, no possibility of succor arriving in time to save 
her. Ingeniously as the arrangements for her abduc- 
tion had been devised, the safeguards against* dis- 
covery were still more ingenious. Pursuers could 
not fail to be thrown off the track. It was as nearly 
sure as such a thing can be. Therefore Edward 
could safely indulge in thoughts of his fiendish vic- 
tory, interspersed at times with a mental effort to hit 
upon some way by which he could avoid or postpone 
paying his accomplices the remainder of the money 
which would be due upon completion of their work, 
and which he did not possess. 

It was a rude blow to the fellow when he received 
news of the complete failure of the undertaking. 
Only one of the two men who were to have brought 
him the object of his brutal passion arrived at the 
rendezvous. He had his arm in a sling. The other 
was laid up at a farm house, quite ill from the rough 
handling he had received. 

There were hard words spoken, and many unkind 
remarks made, of which Henry Leverett was the sub- 
ject. Ed’s anger seemed to know no bounds. It 
threatened to end fatally, for he was plethoric — full 
to the eyes with unhealthy blood and an unhealthy 
temper, and his passion swelled the veins on his fore- 
head and neck, and bulged out his temples alarm- 
ingly. 

But his friend did not linger to see any possibly 
happy outcome of this furious rage. Instead, he 
departed very suddenly and made his way by devi- 
ous routes not generally patronized by the traveling 
public, toward the center of civilization from whence 
he had come. He was so entirely changed in ap- 
pearance that it would hardly have been dangerous 
for him to proceed by rail, but he never took chances 
that he could avoid. He had delivered over to Ed 
Smith a pocket-book and several small articles be- 
longing to the young lady he had nearly succeeded 
in capturing, after having carefully removed what 
money was therein contained, examined it carefully 


A LEGAL WRECK 


106 

for any marks or peculiarities of a dangerous nature, 
and transferred it to his own wallet. 

When young Smith had recovered somewhat from 
his violent spasm of anger, he began to think what 
he had best do. He felt certain that Olive and his 
father would suspect him of being concerned in the 
attempt which had been made upon her. He must 
do something to clear himself from this suspicion, 
that was evident. ^,s an a/ih is one of the simplest 
methods by which to establish one’s disconnection 
with any particular affair, criminal or otherwise, it 
is not strange that this claim was the one he decided 
to put forward. 

It was a consequence of this determination that 
Cap’n Smith, upon going to the village the morning 
following his dejected return from Williamsport, was 
told that his son had arrived in town the night before. 
The old man stood speechless. Although Olive had 
said nothing to him, nor he to her, about suspecting 
Edward of so base a villainy, yet each knew that the 
other did suspect it ; it was understood and taken 
for granted, though neither of them had put it into 
words. 

And yet he had the audacity to come to Gap Har- 
bor hardly more than a day after the outrageous 
attempt. It seemed incredible. 

But the Cap’n was still more surprised when he 
was informed that Edward had been out on one of 
the fishing boats for more than a week, and he took 
occasion to look up one of the crew of the vessel, 
and question him. He was told that it was true his 
son had been with them, and that they had taken 
him aboard from one of the Canadian ports where 
they had run in for bait. It was very surprising. 
He went home and thought it over, as he smoked 
with Mazey. 

Olive did not leave her room that day. Other- 
wise the Cap’n would have told her what he had 
heard, and what it gave him reason to hope. It was 
a fearful blow to him to suppose his son guilty of so 


A LEGAL WRECK 


107 


terrible a thing. He had tried not to think of it. 
But now that there was some ground for supposing 
it might not be true, he pondered upon it continu- 
ally, and even said a few words to Mazey on the 
subject. 

It was after the sun had gone down, and the even- 
ing grown into a hazy twilight, that Olive came into 
the little parlor which was eloquent on every side 
and even above with her oddly conceived decora- 
tions. The Cap’n was sitting there alone. He rose 
as she came toward him, and took the hand which 
was extended to him. He felt its feverish heat, and 
noticed a little tremor pass through it now and then. 
He had been anxious about the girl all day, and now 
his anxiety increased. 

“ You doesn't seem yourself noways, young leddy,'' 
said he kindly, his calm, steady eyes upon her face 
questioningly, “ an it would a seemed better for ye 
not to a’ corned on deck." 

Uncle," she answered, in a low voice, ^Mo not 
think of me — it is nothing. But — if you could go 
over to Williamsport to-morrow — and — " she stop- 
ped. The Cap'n understood her. 

“ Sartain I will," said he kindly, seating Olive in 
an easy chair. Sartain I will. Has they brung 
you everythin' you wanted to-day?" 

“ Yes, everything, thank you. I want to ask you 
if — " she paused a moment and then said suddenly, 
I want to go with you." 

“ Over to the Port ? " 

Yes." 

‘‘Will you be able for to do it?" 

“Yes — yes — I musty uncle!" She leaned toward 
him, her voice sinking to a breathless, earnest whisper ; 
“ I cannot stay here — I must go over — it seems as if I 
could find him ! Think — t/imk what he did for me ! " 

“ It are jist as well for ye to go," said the Cap'n. 

They were both silent for a while, and then the 
Cap'n’s voice broke the stillness. 

“ I allow as I had a fear Ed’ard might 'a* been into 


io8 


A LEGAL WRECK 


that thing as they tried to do/’ Olive started up 
with a sudden fire in her eyes, and turned toward 
him. ‘‘ But if so be as he warn’t, it are hard to 
give him the credit o’ doin’ it. He come into 
port last night an’ has been on a fishin’ sloop for 
nigh on eleven days.” 

Then he told her all he had learned, and of his 
hope that Edward was innocent, and how it did not 
seem as if the boy could have gone so low as that. 
They were talking the matter over when Olive hap- 
pened to look out of the front window. She rose at 
once and went quietly out into the little front hall. 
Stopping at the foot of the stairs she turned to the 
Cap’n, who had followed her. 

‘‘ He is coming here,” she said. “ I — I do not want 
to see him — so soon.” Then she climbed slowly up 
the little brass-trimmed stairway, and going into her 
own room, closed the door. 

About ten minutes later there was a gentle knock. 
She opened the door and the Cap’n was there. . She 
asked him to come in. 

I come for to put somethin’ to ye,” said he, in a 
low tone, standing with one hand on a little chintz- 
covered chair. 

What is it ? ” she asked. 

It are somethin’ regardin’ which you can do jist 
what you pleases and no words spoken. Ed’ard is 
down below, and he’s been a-sayin’ to me as how 
he’s beared o’ that there time you had, an’ are most 
worrited and put about for fear as we’d think it was 
any o’ his doin’. If he could be allowed to tell this 
here to you, he’d like amazin’ for to do it. If not, 
would I pass the word to you myself? Now I 
knows you hasn’t been feelin’ shipshape to-day, an’ 
I’ll jist report the same, an’ say as I passed the word 
faithful ; ” and he moved toward the door. 

No, uncle,” said Olive, touching his arm, *‘you 
may say I will come down.” 

The Cap’n looked at her a moment and then 
went slowly out. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


109 


Olive, for the first time in her life, was anxious 
to see Ed Smith. If he were at the bottom of the 
base plot against her, he would know what had be- 
fallen the fearless and strong one w’ho had defeated 
it. She would go and see. She would see, A feel- 
ing that she could read what was in his mind took 
possession of her. It was this that caused her to 
appear at the door of the parlor a few moments later. 

The lamps were burning, and Mazey had come in. 
The bulky form of young Smith rose awkwardly 
before her as she entered the room. On the wall 
behind him and a little to the left, so that it 
brought the two heads side by side, was the ugly 
fish she had painted the evening he had come for 
money, and treated his father and old Mazey so 
roughly. She was surprised to notice the marked 
resemblance between the two faces. 

He stood facing her, unable for a moment to 
speak. Even his brazen and bullying assurance was 
put to a severe test. Besides, he stood in her pres- 
ence once more, and that alone caused his heart to 
beat heavily and his face to redden. 

It was in a thick voice that finally, with an effort, 
he broke into the rather awkward silence. He re- 
peated, in substance, what the Cap’n had told Olive a 
few moments before. He said he knew he had been 
pretty rough and wild, but he was trying to do bet- 
ter, and it was a terrible thing to him to be sus- 
pected of such a thing as that. 

How did you know you were suspected ? '' asked 
Olive, suddenly. 

“ I — I only thought you might — because of what 
Fd done — and the way I treated you. I know I 
hadn’t ought to ’a’ been so rough — I’m sorry for — 
for all I did — and wish I hadn't done it — it was 
only because I — I — and now he felt the searching 
eyes upon him, and stammered and whined on, 
blindly, apologetically, incoherently, for he had the 
feeling that he must keep on, and yet he had no 
clear idea of what to say. Finally he stopped. There 


no 


A LEGAL WRECK 


was a silence. It seemed very long to him. His 
eyes did not dare look into the eyes that were fixed 
on his, and they moved restlessly about the room. 

Olive had been standing near the door, watching 
him intently. She now slowly approached him. 
His restlessness increased. He had not counted on 
this. He had supposed he could blurt out what he 
had to say, and maintain the attitude of a man who 
was suffering a great injustice. He had done his 
blurting, and now he seemed to be under examina- 
tion. It was intolerable. He conceived the idea 
that he would get away, and mumbled something 
about being sorry to trouble her, and as that was all 
he had to say, he would go. 

‘‘ Wait,’' said Olive, as he moved away. He 
stopped. She was very near him. Will you look 
at me a moment? I want you to look at me." 

The small whitish-blue eyes were turned toward 
her, and there was a strained-open, alarmed look in 
them. 

Cap’n Smith tells me you have been on a boat 
for the past week, and only came in last night. I 
want you to tell me if that is true." 

“Of course it's true ! " said Ed, in rather a loud 
voice. 

“ It is not true," said Olive, her lithe figure drawn 
to its full height before him, and every muscle tense. 
She spoke quietly, but with an emphatic pause before 
each word. “ It is not true. I can see it as plainly 
as I see you standing there. You have not been at 
sea at all — you have been in Williamsport ! " 

Ed started, and his expression changed. 

“You haze been in Williamsport," Olive went on, 
intent only upon wringing from the man what she 
wanted to know. 

“I have not r' shouted Ed, his doggedness and 
brutality beginning to assert itself.* 

“You have! You deny it with your lips, but 
admit it with something stronger than words! You 
have been there. You were there yesterday — and 


A LEGAL WRECK 


III 


you must tell me — you must tell me — this I will 
know — what was done to — to the man who disap- 
peared there — who disappeared night before last — 
what was done? Where is he? You know where 
he is ! ” 

No, I don’t know where he is,” said Ed, and he 
was looking in Olive’s face. 

There was silence for an instant. Then Olive 
turned away slowly, and her eyes rested upon the 
Cap’n. 

‘‘ It is true,” she said sadly, it is true, he doesn’t 
know — he doesn’t know ! ” 

A quick step was heard at this moment on the 
veranda, and an instant later a solid, ringing knock 
at the door. The Cap’n hastened out and opened it. 

Hullo, Cap’n ! ” said a hearty voice, and his hand 
was seized in a grip he had not forgotten. Still 
holding on to his hand, the proprietor of the grip 
entered, -and pulling the delighted but speechless 
old sailor after him, stood at the parlor door. 

Olive saw him, and a cry of joy burst, uncontrolla- 
ble, from her heart. In another moment both her 
pretty white hands were held by Henry Leverett. 


Although Leverett would have been glad to 
lo. keep those soft little hands in his for an in- 
definite length of time, he soon discovered 
that the time he was permitted to do so was 
exceedingly definite, and very much limited. 
In fact, they were withdrawn almost immediately, 
and their fair owner retired a step or two and stood 
perfectly still, the loveliest embodiment of feminine 
confusion that the young man had ever seen. 

‘‘ We were very much alarnied about you — that 
was the reason,” said she, as if explaining something 
very frightful, and not knowing exactly what she 
said or why she said it. 

“ About me ! ” said Leverett, in a frank, hearty 


I 12 


A LEGAL WRECK 


tone that set everything right at once. By Jove! I 
think you ought to be — I feel as if Td been around 
the Cape, Cap’n ! '' 

The Cape ! ” echoed a deep bass voice in the 
corner, which was Mazey’s. The Cap’n stood wait- 
ing, anxious to hear what had occurred. But Lever- 
ett noticed Mazey’s open-mouthed interest, and was 
looking at him. 

You know pretty well what the Cape is, I see.’' 

Well I jist does, sir,” replied the delighted old 
salt, hobbling to his feet, his one eye blinking most 
animatedly. 

This here are Jonathan Mazey, as were one o* 
my reliablest mates, an’ as I’d like to introduce,” 
said Cap’n Smith, and added, with much show of 
formality, Mr. Leverett, Mr. Jonathan Mazey.” 

After Leverett had shaken hands with Mazey, he 
turned and found himself face to face with Ed 
Srnoth, who had not moved since he came in. He 
timed toward the Cap’n, as if for an introduction. 
Tiiere was a moment’s pause. The two men looked 
at each other. One with a frank, open glance of 
questioning. The other with eyes half averted, yet 
not quite — the look of a cur not knowing whether 
or not he will be struck. Ed knew perfectly well 
who this man was, and what he had done. And he 
knew, too, from her intense concern as to what had 
befallen him, from her heart-cry of joyous relief 
when she saw him, and the impulsive greeting that 
followed, that Olive Gray felt something more than 
a friendly regard for the broad-shouldered stranger. 
He knew all this, and he felt the kindling of a fierce 
fire within him. 

This here’s my son Ed'ard, Mr. Leverett,” said 
the Cap’n. 

'' How are you !” was Leverett's cheerful greeting 
as he wrung Ed’s big, coarse hand. 

The same to you,” mumbled the other, and he 
knew from the iron grasp in which his hand was held 
that he faced a man of powerful build. It was this 


A LEGAL WRECK 


II3 

knowledge that checked his violent impulses for 
several weeks. It was this that prudently held him 
back when he was wild with jealous anger — insane 
with the thirst for revenge. That grasp of the hand 
clung to his memory, until the time when memory 
and all else w^s swept away by the flood of his 
passion. 

As soon as he could he bade them a gruff good- 
night and left the house. 

It did not take long for them to learn the manner 
of Leverett’s sudden departure from Williamsport. 
He had gone out for a walk about seven in the even- 
ing. The fact was, although he did not tell them so, 
that for some reason he dared not name even to 
himself, he felt utterly lonely and wretched after 
saying good-bye to Olive. Had he stopped to con- 
sider the circumstances it would not have seemed 
possible to him that this could be so ; it was some- 
thing like a dream in which a man suddenly finds 
himself wrought up to a most remarkable degree, a 
condition it would naturally take weeks or months 
or even years to induce, and yet into which he enters 
at a moment’s notice without question. 

But Leverett did not stop to consider. He only 
knew that he was unspeakably lonely — that some- 
thing had gone out of his life which left it blank — ■ 
unresting — groping. He did not know, to a cer- 
tainty, what it was that he missed. He did not take 
account of the remarkable -fact that the something 
had never been in his life until that very day — and 
pretty well on in the day at that. All he realized 
distinctly was, that he was wretchedly unhappy, that 
he had a vague longing upon him, and that he must 
walk rapidly — no matter where. 

This being plain to him, he walked. He did not 
know that he started to the left and turned to the 
right, and then to the right again and then to the 
left. But he was soon made aware of his where- 
abouts by a rough voice calling out, Hello there! 
Be you wantin’ to git aboard?” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


1 14 

He saw in the fading light, that a vessel of some 
kind was leaving an old wharf. The ropes had been 
cast off, and she was even then moving slowly, the •. 
light breeze catching at a great patched and weather- . 
darkened sail, as it rose higher and higher with the 
regularly recurring little jerks— each one accompanied 
by the singing of the blocks — with which a sail ha- 
bitually spreads itself. 

“ Where bound asked Leverett quickly. 

‘‘ For the Gap — hurry up young man, you aint 
got no time to waste ! 

Gap Harbor?'' shouted Leverett suddenly very 
much interested. 

“ That's what I said — but you’re too late now, an' 
we can't put about for ye ! ” and the captain of the 
sloop turned away, giving no more attention to the 
matter, for the vessel's stern had passed the end of 
the wharf, the distance between being already ten 
feet or more, and rapidly increasing. 

‘‘ How long does it take you to make it ?" said a 
voice behind the skipper which caused him to turn 
suddenly. 

‘‘Jingo!" was his sole remark, as he looked at 
Leverett. 

“ What’s the matter ? " 

“You k'n jump a few feet, or I'll be durned." 

“ Yes — a few. Will you get there by nine ? " 

“ Nine what? " 

“O'clock." 

“Yes, if the wind's fav'able wen we git outside, 
we'll sight it by nine to-morrer night ; if 'taint we 
won't." 

Leverett regarded the skipper a moment in blank 
amazement. Then he glanced at the craft upon 
whose deck he stood. “ Did Burgess design her ? " 
he asked, looking at the captain. He had been in- 
formed by Olive that Gap Harbor was seven miles 
from Williamsport. 

“ Who ? " asked the captain. But no one answered, 
for Leverett had walked aft to see whether there 


A LEGAL WRECK 


US 

was any chance of getting ashore again. But a five 
hundred foot jump was a little beyond his limit. 

When he had decided, in that instant, to take 
passage on the sloop, one thought only was in his 
mind. But that thought filled every part of it — 
every crevice and corner, so that there was not a 
particle of room left for another to squeeze in. It 
was the thought that he would see Olive Gray once 
more — only once more ; that he would take her 
exquisite little hand in his and look down into the 
depths of her wonderful eyes again, and this for the 
very last time. The very last. That would end it. 
With this thought sweeping everything before it, he 
measured the distance with a glance, took an easy 
running jump, and alighted on the deck with the 
lightness of a cat. 

But now that he was on board, there was plenty 
of time to reflect upon what he had done. The 
wind was not “ fav'able when they got outside, and 
it was nearly forty-eight hours after leaving Williams- 
port that he sprang ashore at Gap Harbor. In the 
mean time he had come to bis senses. The whole 
affair was a mere incident. Taking the girl’s part 
when the scoundrels set upon her at Bergmont had 
given him a slight interest in her, that was all. It 
was quite natural too. He could not be blamed for 
that. Even Edith Kimball would not reproach him 
for such a thing. In fact, he would tell her all about 
it when he reached home ; how he had had the 
pleasure of helping a college friend of hers — if she 
were a friend — through a little scrape. Yes, and had 
even gone down to Gap Harbor to see if the young 
lady reached home in safety. Perfectly square. 
Entirely right. If Edith had assisted a friend of his 
out of a difficulty he would be only too glad to have 
her follow it up, and see it out. By Jove, he’d be 
displeased if she didn’t I 

And as Leverett went up into the village of Gap 
Harbor to inquire the way to Cap’n Edward Smith’s, 
his mind was entirely settled to make a brief and 


ii LEGAL WRECK 


Il6 

pleasant little call, just to see if Miss Gray was all 
right, then bid her a hearty and friendly adieu, and 
leave the town as soon thereafter as possible. All 
that nonsense about taking her hand again, and 
looking once more into the fascinating depths of her 
eyes had been completely put down and out of the 
way. 

Therefore, as has been seen, he crossed the ve- 
randa with a light, quick tread, and knocked heartily 
at the door. When it was opened he grasped Cap'n 
Smith warmly by the hand, and pushed his way 
toward the parlor, where he had seen Miss Gray as 
he came down the path. He heard the low cry of 
gladness that she could not repress, felt the trembling 
little hands in his, saw the eyes he had tried to 
banish from his mind illumined with a joyous light; 
all this occupied barely three seconds, but in those 
three seconds the senses which he had come to were 
scattered to the four winds, and all the foolishness 
he had so successfully mastered was rampant again, 
sweeping everything before it, — uncontrollable — » 
overpowering. He struggled for a few moments, 
but for once Henry Leverett was in the grasp of 
something a thousand times more powerful than 
himself, and although he did not acknowledge defeat, 
and had a vague idea that when he got away by 
himself he would be able to throw his fierce adver- 
sary, or escape from him and run for his life, it was 
a weak hope, and his words belied it and were untrue 
to it when he asked if he could call the next after- 
noon, as he would probably be there a day or two 
looking around to see how the yachting was in that 
vicinity. 

The Cap’ll urged him to remain at his house dur- 
ing the time he should be in Gap Harbor, and was 
really disappointed because he would not ; and when 
Leverett finally bade them good-night, insisted on 
going to the village with him to help him look up a 
comfortable lodging. The two trudged down the 
old shell road together, the young man’s thoughts 


A LEGAL WRECK- 


117 


lingering upon the lovely girl he had just left at the 
door of the Cap’n's house — the last radiant look she 
had given him, the last expression of her beautiful 
face, the touch of her hand as he held it again for 
the briefest possible moment ; and then he went 
back to her impulsive welcome and thought it all 
; over again and again and again, and was simply and 
utterly bound to her, hand and foot and head and 
heart and soul, and whatever else there is. It was 
very quickly done, but there could be no doubt 
about it, and by the next morning he acknowledged 
as much to himself. 

The Cap’n walked beside him, and was very happy 
that the brave young fellow was safe, and that he 
had an opportunity of seeing Wm again and letting 
him know how grateful he was. 

But there were three walking down the road that 
night; for behind them, and not far behind either, 
was Edward Smith. 


The following afternoon Leverett called at 
II. the Cap’n’s. He had been scarcely able to 
wait for the time to come. The morning 
seemed interminable. The night had seemed 
interminable for that matter. He had scarcely 
slept an hour. He did not want to sleep. He was 
in a high fever. It did not seem to be a painful 
fever, for he enjoyed every symptom of it, or, to 
speak more correctly, every variation of the one 
great symptom, which was Olive Gray, Olive Gray, 
Olive Gray. His brain burned hot, his eyes stared 
bright, his pulse throbbed, his heart seemed burst- 
ing, and it was all Olive Gray — only Olive Gray. 
Every motion, every look, every feature of her 
sweet face, every touch of her hand, every word she 
had said, every tone of her voice, everything about 
her that his recollection could seize upon, was gath- 
ered up and thrown into the feverish flame that 


ii8 


A" LEGAL WRECK 


consumed him, and made it the more intense. He 
stumbled out of bed and walked about the room, 
much to the alarm of the good people who had, at 
the Cap'n's request, taken him in. By the first faint 
glimmer of morning light he dressed, and then 
walked down by the water, up on the hills, in every 
possible direction. 

How the morning was passed Leverett could not 
have told. But he got through it in some way, and 
sat in the Cap'n's parlor about two o’clock, waiting 
for Olive to come down. Would she give him that 
dear little hand when she came? Would she show, 
without thinking, that she was unspeakably glad to 
see him, and then be filled with the most lovely con- 
fusion ? These questions and innumerable others of 
a similar nature crowded into his mind. They were 
all answered very shortly and in the negative. No, 
she would not do any of these things. i 

Miss Gray’s behavior was very different from that j 
of the evening previous. It was so different that i 
it completely astonished Mr. Leverett. She was 
another person. He had not met this young lady 
before. It was necessary to get acquainted all over 
again, but he set about it with the greatest good 
nature. In the first place her greeting was most 
formal. She bowed with a charming grace, and 
allowed a faint smile to resuscitate the little dimples 
near the corners of her mouth for a moment. But it 
was a smile she might have used upon any occasion, 
and with any casual caller. She did not offer Lev- 
erett her hand. And after this she became actually 
cold and distant. 

All this was such a surprise to the young man that 
he found it difficult to converse. As for giving utter- 
ance to the things he had thought of saying, it was 
simply out of the question. He asked her some 
questions i^bout Smith College, which she answered 
quietly and in the fewest possible words. They 
talked demurely on other subjects. After a time 
the Cap’n came in. The call, of which Leverett had 


A LEGAL WRECK 


119 


had the most enchanting visions, was at an end. He 
walked back to the village thoroughly disheartened. 
But he slept well that night, and in the morning was 
himself again. 

Why Olive had adopted this course cannot be told. 
It is always difficult to assign an exact reason for 
v/hat a young lady does, especially when there is a 
complication of circumstances. She could not have 
assigned one herself. It simply came so. There 
was no help for it. It was the result — the unavoid- 
able result — of what had gone before ; of their pe- 
culiar meeting, acquaintance, and her forgetfulness 
of the previous evening. Because men possess but 
one kind of Logic, they stupidly conclude that 
there is but one. This is an error. There are two 
kinds. Masculine Logic. Feminine Logic. The 
difference between them is that one is founded upon 
reason and the other is founded upon itself — it is not 
dependent upon any outside affair whatever. Both 
kinds are inexorable. Olive's behavior was the result 
of Feminine Logic. 

She was actually sorry, in her precious little heart, 
that she was compelled to treat one who had been 
so good to her in such an outrageous fashion. She 
felt sure he would go away disgusted, and never 
return. Had he done this, there is no denying the 
fact that she would have been exceedingly unhappy, 
for had he not been very noble indeed, and shown 
himself a fearless hero and a true friend ? What is 
it about a friend in need ? She had certainly been 
in need. Therefore was he a friend to her indeed. 

But this friend of hers did not call the next day, 
and what made the matter worse was that the Cap'n, 
who went to the village in company with Mazey, 
could not find him, and was told, upon inquiry, that 
he had gone over to Williamsport. 

The consequence was that Olive suffered the 
pangs of remorse. And a further consequence was 
that when Mr. Leverett appeared at the door the 
following morning about half-past nine, he received 


120 


A LEGAL WRECK 


a warm welcome, and had the little hand in his once, 
more. 

He had come to see if she would go out for a 
walk. And she would. While he waited for her in 
the parlor, he noticed, for the first time, its odd 
decoration. 

‘‘ It makes a fellow feel as if he were under water,'' 4 
said he, as she entered with hen hat and gloves on. 

“ When I first caught sight of it, I came near t lying 
to swim a stroke or two.” 

They talked a few moments about the different i 
fish and reptiles that calmly gazed at them from i 
various parts of the room. He told her all she 
needed to make the illusion complete, was to paint 
the ceiling with the under side of lily pads, as if they j 
were floating on the surface there. > 

I'm afraid it would be so realistic you would I 
never come in,” said Olive. 

“Miss Gray,” replied he, “if I saw you here, I / 
would certainly dive in and pull you out.” 

Not a great while after this lily pads began to 
appear, one by one, along the edge of the ceiling, 
their long green stems coming up the walls and ^ 
branching out to each leaf. ; 

It was a jolly good walk they had that day, as ^ 
Leverett said to himself on his way back to town. 
And the next day he happened along, and thought ? 
he would just stop in and see if she would like to ; 
take another. Mrs. Dunks, to whom he had been 1 
formally presented the day before, received him with ( 
great cordiality. ■ 

It must be confessed that Nancy Dunks regarded % 
Mr. Leverett with great favor. There was a particu- ■ 
lar reason for her so doing — a strong reason. She 
felt that if such a thing should happen as Olive being 
persuaded by some one to leave the Cap’n, it would 
result in the old mariner’s being absolutely obliged 
to seek feminine consolation. That would soften 
his heart as nothing else would. She looked upon 
Mr. Leverett as a possible means to this end. 


J 


A LEGAL WRECK 


121 


Therefore she received him with a little dip of a 
courtesy that shook the house,' and a smhe that 
made the door seem narrow by contrast. 

“ Won’t ye come into the parlor, sir, an' sit down? 
It would make me most happy, indeed," said she. 

“ Thank you," replied Leverett heartily, as he 
followed her into the little hallway. “ Is Miss Gray 

home? " 

‘‘ She is, an’ I know as she’ll be glad to see you 
sir ! " 

“ I wish I had equal confidence," laughed Leverett. 

Will you tell her I shall be very glad indeed if I 
can see her ? " He went into the parlor, and turn- 
ing at the door, added, “Tell her Tm waiting in the 
Aquarium." 

“ What term did I understand you to apply to my 
marine decorations, Mr. Leverett ? " asked Olive, 
frowning with mock severity, as she came into the 
room a moment later. 

“ I beg your pardon," said Leverett honestly, as 
he stood perfectly entranced by the brilliant, laugli- 
ing eyes, with the pretty frown above them, “ but 
you ought to feel complimented when a person is 
affected by the realism of these things as I am. I 
actually tried to hold my breath until you came 
down. When a man is waiting for you under water 
you ought not to keep him long." 

“ If you really feel it as keenly as that. I’m afraid 
I ought not to make you come in here at all. It 
must be distressing to try to talk to a person ration- 
ally when you feel that you are at the bottom of the 
sea, with horrible-looking fishes drinking in every 
word." 

“No, I like it, really, Miss Gray. There’s a nov- 
elty in it that you can’t appreciate. Here I am, as 
it were, talking to a mermaid." 

“ Oh dear ! " said Olive, laughing. “ And please 
tell me whsitf ou are then." 

“ A devil-fish,’' answered Leverett. 

‘‘ I ought to have one here ! " and Olive looked 


122 


A LEGAL WRECK 


about the room as if she had made a culpable error. 

There, he could sit in that corner, and enjoy life. 
Imagine what decorative possibilities there would 
be in his long tentacles — is that what you call 
them ? ” 

“ No,” said Leverett, I just say radiators.” 

^‘Well,” laughed the girl, “ radiators then, branch- 
ing out in every direction, and taking hold of every. . 
thing within reach. I think Til put one in.” 

May I sit as a model ? ” asked Leverett humbly. 

Olive turned her eyes upon him and seemed to be 
thinking for a moment. Then she said quietly, “ No, 

I have a better one.” 

The two went out together, this time to what was 
known as the high cliffs, a place Olive fancied more 
than any other. The high cliffs were several him- 
dred feet above the water, which had battered and 
gouged its way almost under them, forming a series 
of those great hollow sounding-boards which so in- 
tensified the report of the thunderous blows of 
-the ocean. Following along this height some dis- 
tance a gorge or ravine prevented further progress, 
and on the edge of it, overhanging the ocean on 
one side and jutting off into this ravine on the 
other was a focky ledge or promontory. To reach 
this place it was necessary to descend a few steps 
if approached from the cliff. It presented the 
appearance of a large, shaded grotto with a level 
mossy floor, inclosed on tv/o sides by the massive 
piled-up rocks of the cliff, and on the third by the 
trees and bushes growing up from the steep sides of 
the ravine. Toward the sea only was it open. But 
it was so decidedly open here that one instinctively 
kept at a respectful distance — at any rate after once 
looking down. It did Hot seem so dangerous at first, 
for some small tough little shoots of trees and shrub- 
bery grew in the crevices of the rock along the edge 
and formed an illusory barrier which in a measure 
satisfied the eye, although it would have been a far 
from satisfactory safeguard had a person inadver- 


* A LEGAL WRECK 


123 


tently lost his balance in that vicinity. But pushing 
these branches aside and glancing below one was at 
once filled with a desire to hold on tight to whatever 
happened to be within reach. 

As Olive looked over, so as to find the place 
which would make the most frightful impression upon 
him, it happened to be Leverett who was within 
reach, and he was very glad of it, too. But instead 
of paying attention to Olive's exclamations of awe, 
and directions as to looking down, which he should 
have done, he thought only of the hand which clnng 
to his so tightly, and of the exquisite daintily-rounded 
arm which he ventured to press close to him at a 
moment when its owner seemed most filled with 
enthusiastic horror at the idea of falling on the jag- 
ged rocks far beneath. He was just thinking how 
softly white that arm must be, judging from the 
fascinating little zone of pearl white wrist that now 
and then darted into \new above her glove, when 
she turned suddenly and said, ^‘Now do exactly as I 
told you ! " 

I will,'' he answered meekly, and then added by 
way of a feeler, ‘‘ if I can without breaking my 
neck/' 

It was a successful one, for she said at once, 
“ Dear me ! It won't break your neck to shut your 
eyes, will it ? " 

“No, not if I do it quietly," he answered, “and 
don't try to go far with them closed." 

“ Oh, I’ll hold you," she said, reassuringly. 

Leverett, upon hearing this, closed his eyes at 
once. Olive held his hand with both of hers as he 
put his head over the edge. 

“ Now open them," was the next order. He 
obeyed, and was rewarded by an unusual spectacle. 
The rock of the cliff had split off in such a way that 
it receded inward, and they seemed to be hanging 
out over the ocean which foamed over masses of 
broken stone hundi'eds of feet below. 

After this they were content to stay in the fur- 


124 


A LEGAL WRECK 


ther end of the grotto, and, indeed, it was pleasanter 
there. For the foliage of light birches and other 
trees growing among the rocks overhung it, and it 
was surrounded by cedars. Leverett went through 
the pretty and time-honored ceremony of cutting 
their initials on the trunk of a white birch, although 
he acknowledged to himself grimly that a chestnut 
would perhaps have been a more appropriate tree. 

It was from this that questions naturally followed as 
to Olive’s name — whether she had a middle one, and 
so forth. Then he suddenly turned and asked her 
whether she were a niece of the Cap’n’s. So it hap- 
pened that while he carved away at the “ O. she 
told him in a few simple answers to his questions 
her strange life-story. And it came about, too, that 
as he began on the “ H. B. L.*' she asked if he was 
in business in Boston ; upon which he gave her in a 
few graphic words, which came out in spasmodic 
jerks between the strokes of his knife, a decidedly 
humorous and pathetic account of his struggles to 
be the “Son” in the mercantile firm of Judson 
Leverett & Son. 

The carving was nearly finished, and they were 
beginning to feel very well acquainted with each 
other, when, happening to look behind her, Olive 
was surprised to discover that they were not alone. 
Leverett had just asked her a question, and noticing 
that she did not answer he turned toward her. Fol- 
lowing the direction in which she was looking he 
saw, seated on a large stone not thirty yards away, 
no other a person than Ed Smith. 

“Hullo, Smith!” shouted Leverett with jovial 
good nature, “ when did you come up?” 

The man addressed did not answer. Leverett at 
once started toward him, thinking he had not heard. 
He was stopped by a gentle touch on the arm. Turn- 
ing he saw Olive’s eyes fixed on his face with a look 
of alarm. 

“ Please don’t go,” she said, in a low voice. 

At that moment Ed Smith rose and disappeared 


A LEGAL WRECK 1 25 

down a steep path that led to the foot of the ravine 
and thence to the water. 

Leverett looked at Olive for an- explanation, but 
she gave him none. 

They went home soon after this, Leverett observ- 
ing that Olive seemed strangely silent and absent- 
minded. He declined her invitation to come in, and 
bidding her good afternoon at the Cap'n’s gate, 
walked down the road, very much fearing the recol- 
lection of her loneliness, which he had been the means 
of reviving, had made her unhappy. Perhaps, even, 
she was ill. He stopped suddenly and stood in the 
road. He stood some time. Then turning, he walked 
rapidly back to the house. He would see her. He 
must go back. He must know. If she were lonely, 
perhaps he could stay and try to cheer her up. If 
she were ill, he could go for a physician. 

Mrs. Dunks answered his knock, and before he 
could speak had almost paralyzed him with a most 
extraordinary contortion of her face, which eventu- 
ally resulted in the winking of one eye. Then she 
beckoned him to come to the parlor door. He ad- 
vanced timidly and looked in. From Mrs. Dunks’ 
behavior he was prepared to view a scene of carnage 
and slaughter. 

Olive was painting something on the wall. He 
looked more closely. It was the beginning of a 
devil-fish. 

Mrs. Dunks retired, leaving Leverett at the door. 
He stood a moment looking at Olive. She was so 
absorbed in her work, or her thoughts about it, that 
she did not know he was there. Over her pretty 
sailor waist dress of light flannel was a dainty apron. 

Upon her forehead was a real frown. She was 
standing motionless before her work. It was evident 
that something troubled her. 

Leverett advanced quite near. Suddenly she 
turned and uttering the same low cry of joy, was by 
his side and her outstretched hands caught in his, al- 
most as on the first evening he came. And he, before 


126 


A LEGAL WRECK 


he thought — before he knew — had permitted the one 
word “ Olive ! to break from his lips as he felt her 
hands in his and drew her close to him, and looked 
down deep in her face. 

She knew the word and the look he gave her 
came from his heart. She knew it and for an instant 
was held by it, looking in his face. 

It was only an instant, and she was away, standing 
back frightened. 

“ I — thought you were in some danger and — 
She stopped ; then turning suddenly to him, said 
in a quivering voice, “ Oh, it was cruel of you to 
come in like that ! ” 

Leverett was about to make some sort of an exv 
cuse, but before he could speak Olive was gone. He 
scarcely knew how she went, but had a general idea 
that she had flown up the little brass-bound stair* 
way. 

He waited a moment in doubt. An idea then 
occurred to him. He took out his pocket-book and 
rapidly scribbled a note on one of the leaves. This 
he tore out, and hunting up Mrs. Dunks, begged 
that she would hand it to Miss Gray. Then he left 
the house. 

Mrs. Dunks, having read the note, took it up to 
Olive’s door and knocked. The door was opened a 
fraction of a crack, and a tearful voice said, “ What is 
it.?” 

‘‘ A written communication,” was the widow’s 
grandiloquent announcement. 

** Please hand it to me through the — through the 
crack,” said the pathetic little sobby voice. 

Mrs. Dunks did so, and the door was closed. 

Olive read with some difficulty these words: 

Forgive me please, Miss Gray. I really did not mean to 
do any damage. Do believe what I say and try to overlook 
the matter this time. I am going after my yacht and will be 
away several days, so you will have a complete rest from me, 
which is what you need. 

» H. L. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


127 


Leverett was absent two days. He attended, 

12. during this time, to a number of matters be- 
sides the getting of his yacht, among which 
may be mentioned the recovery of his trunk, 
which had gone off to some distant point in 
Maine, the tracing up of his valise and fishing rod, the 
notifying of the firm in Boston that owing to unusual 
delay he would be absent some little time, the re- 
ceiving of certain dispatches relative to the unsuc- 
cessful pursuit of the wretches who had attacked 
Olive on the train, and the sending of one to Rich- 
ard Merriam, Esq. 

Merriam & Bostwick were the attorneys for the 
firm of Judson Leverett 8c Son. Young Leverett 
had known Merriam in college, although they were 
not in the same class. Therefore, being familiar with 
the young lawyerVkeenness, he sent him an impulsive 
telegram to the effect that he must come up imme- 
diately and look into a most important case; that 
the matter of expense was not to be considered as 
life and death were involved. 

If will be seen by this time that Henry Leverett 
was thoroughly and overwhelmingly in love. Every 
other thought, impulse, ambition, intention, aim in 
life had disappeared from his mind, swept away and 
utterly annihilated by the one firm purpose, the un- 
shakable determination to win the heart of the beau- 
tiful girl he had met but a few days before. He did 
not reason it out or arrive at a decision of any kind. 
He simply knew, from the moment his eyes met 
Olive's in the little sea parlor at Gap Harbor, that for 
him nothing else could be. Reasoning with himself 
would have been absurd ; as well reason against the 
resistless flood of the tide. The voice of his con- 
science, if it spoke at all, was like a whisper amidst . 
the mighty roar of the advancing torrent. 

But though beyond the reach of reason, he knew 
instinctively what was right and honorable, and as 
soon as he found an opportunity he sent a letter to 
Miss Kimball which read as follows: — 


128 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Williamsport, Me., Wednesday, 

My Dear Edith : 

1 suppose it is most base and despicable to ask for a re- 
lease from our engagement, but honestly, if I were to be shot 
for it to-morrow I could do nothing else. I have fallen in love 
Edith. It was not intentional, believe me. I tried not to for 
a while. I thought of you, and all that, but it threw me and 
held me down in a way I never conceived possible. I can see 
now that 1 have not really loved any one before. Then what 
can I do but ask you this ? 

I have not said a word to her and shall not until I hear from 
you. Even then, it is more than likely she will not allow it to 
go any further, but still, you ought to know this. 

Sincerely yours, 

Henry B. Leverett. 

Please address answer to Gap Harbor, Maine. 


During Leverett’s absence, Ed Smith made 

13, two attempts to gain an interview with Olive. 
The first time, he went to the house and asked 
to see her. She sent down word that she 
wished to be excused. 

The second time, he watched his opportunity and 
suddenly made his appearance while Olive was in the 
parlor reading. She was startled by the thick voice 
coming suddenly upon her in a sort of breathless 
desperation. 

“ Miss Gray, I want to have a few words with 
you.’’ 

She rose and looked at the fellow, who stood 
before her almost pale with the violence of his emo 
tion. 

A few words with me,’' repeated Olive. 

Yes.” 

‘‘ About what ? ” 

“About myself and — and s^bout you / '* he replied, 
with an emphasis that burst uncontrollably upon the 
words. 

“You must excuse me,” said Olive, going toward 
the door. “ I prefer not to talk with you about 
either.” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


129 


She left the room and went upstairs, Ed following 
her with his eyes until she was gone. The Cap’n 
found him waiting there when he came in, an hour 
or more after, and spoke to him. Ed made no 
answer, but, turning, walked slowdy out of the 
house, and dov/n the road. 

When 'Leverett returned to Gap Harbor he found 
Olive friendly, but distant. Her greeting seemed 
to be cordial, but yet one that might have been 
extended to a mere acquaintance; which called 
up the dismal reflection that it was really all he 
was. 

At first, too, she seemed disinclined to take long 
walks with him, and when they were together at any 
distance from the house he observed, with pain, that 
she did not appear to be happy ; on the contrary, 
seemed restless, absent-minded, apparently fearful 
of something. Once or twice, at a slight sound 
behind them, she turned suddenly, with a little gasp 
of alarm, and then stood still, breathing hard for 
a moment. When he would have gone to her, she 
motioned him away, pretending it was nothing, and 
giving a little forced laugh. 

It is needless to say these symptoms filled Lever- 
ett with alarm. The feeling grew upon him that 
Olive was not happy in his presence. She had 
treated him civilly at first, only as a return for the 
assistance he had rendered her. Now she was becom- 
ing weary of him. ^ *5^ 

But one evening she forgot everything, and so did 
he, in the presence of a sunset. They had gone 
upon a hill not far from the Cap’n’s to see the 
mighty King of Day evacuate the field of his fiery 
conflict. His retreat, whether orderly and calm, as 
he sinks majestically through a cloudless sky; ac- 
companied by instant rout and extinguishment, as he 
is suddenly overwhelmed with massive storm-clouds ; 
or whether in any other of the countless fashions of 
his vanquishment, is always masterly — wonderful- 
awe-inspiring. 


130 


A LEGAL WRECK 


On this occasion it was an awful combat. It was 
a fearful struggle for the mastery. It was a fight to 
the death. It was the Killing of the Sun. 

Although they knew it was but an illusion — a 
sham battle ; that the monster’s life was really in no 
danger ; that he would rise the following morning as 
from a refreshing sleep ; yet Olive 'and Leverett for- 
got even where they stood, while the impressive con- 
flict raged in the western sky. 

It had begun as the fiery Monarch neared the 
horizon, when a thin line of clouds moved rapidl y, , 
upon him from the north. It was the charge of a 
light brigade. The foremost warriors disappeared 
even as they drew near, dazzled to death. But the 
rank moved on unflinching. It was a ruse ; so insig- 
nificant an attack would hardly be noticed ; before 
he awoke to his danger there would be a solid band 
across his front, hemming him in ; while he struggled 
to free himself a heavy force would spring upon 
him ; he would be taken unawares, and easily over- 
powered. This strategic movement was partly suc- 
cessful. The cloud-band was finally drawn across his 
face. The heavy attacking force, with solid black 
front, rushed down upon him. 

But they were too late. A piercing, scintillating 
flash and the sun had cleared away the flimsey 
obstruction. There was no struggle, and he was 
ready for the heavy attack. 

The first mass hurled itself upon him athwart. 
But it was no longer frowning and black. It was 
dull red, and then red, and then fiery red, and then 
white-hot; blazing, falling in burning masses, scalded, 
split into seething fragments, from among which the 
great orb glared as he tossed them behind him, ask- 
ing whether any others dared come to the attack. 
Even as he glared, more were upon him. He had 
but overthrown the advance-guard. Now the solid 
battalion was closing down. In a moment the awful 
struggle began. So terrific was it that the thunders 
anci hissing and the mad roars seemed to shake 


A LEGAL WRECK 


I3I 


the air, and the mighty force of collision and disrup. 
tion to make the earth tremble. 

Overcome for a moment, unable to melt and rend 
so great a force, the Sun is obscured — -thrown down 
— buried — the clouds piling themselves upon him. 
Can they hold him there till his breath is gone ! Can 
they endure this blaze of heat but for a few moments ! 

Not they. Even now ominous, dull-red spots 
appear upon them, growing steadily brighter and 
seeming to seethe and smoke until, with sudden col- 
lapse, they give way, and fierce shafts of red light, 
splitting the openings into great ragg^. rents, burst 
through and through, burying themselves even in 
the farthest sky. In an instant the whole mass is 
ablaze, molten and white with terror, and struggling 
to escape. But escape it cannot. It is held, while 
the furious monster plays with it, turning it into a 
thousand colors, hurling it above him, throwing it 
this way and that, his nughty globe swelled to twice 
its normal size, and glowing a quivering living red, 
as if his huge sides shook themselves with laughter. 

But laugh not yet, King Sol. You see not the 
hurrying rush of the reinforcements. They run 
from all the northern sky. They come on the wings 
of the wind. They are upon you. It is no play 
now. It is life or death. You rout them bravely 
at first, but they are legion, and your strength is 
waning. They have you down again. They are 
piled three deep upon you. 

A breach! A shaft ofjight! He is coming again. 
The clouds are rended and shattered. — No! They 
have closed the gap. They have him down. He 
turns them red, but they hold him. Their edges 
are burning with fire, but still they hold him. His 
light is turning to purple. He is strangling. Tighten 
the grip upon his throat! Quick! That glowing^ 
place to the north. He will break through there! 
Close it ! Block it ! Do not mind that your vitals 
are burning — that the sky above is a mass of fire — 
that his great shafts blaze out behind you in every 


132 A LEGAL WRECK 

direction. Hold him down ! Hold him down ! For 
it is the death-struggle of the Sun! He grows 
weaker! Weaker! His light is purple — darker 
purple — fading every moment ! There is one gasp- 
ing, quivering burst of radiance. It is the last. He 
sinks back, dead. 

Leverett turned slowly from the glowing sky, 
red even to the eastern horizon with the terrible 
heat of the battle — the victorious masses of cloud 
burning still from their mighty conflict with the 
King of Fire. He felt something very near him. 
It was Olive. She had unconsciously pressed close 
to his side as she became absorbed in the marvel- 
ous sight. Her gloveless hand was resting on his 
arm, trustingly. He looked at it a moment, feeling 
that his strength of resistance was slipping away. 
It was such a dear little hand ; such a delicate 
white little hand, with faint tracings of veins in 
almost invisible blue, and a dimple to mark the 
place where each finger should grow. The tempta- 
tion was too much. His lips were upon it hot with 
burning kisses. Olive turned quickly. She could 
not have taken it away had she tried. 

There was a sudden rush and rustle m the bushes 
near them. Both turned, and saw Ed Smith bound 
into the cleared space some distance away, and 
run heavily down the rough wagon road by which 
they had come, disappearing in the fading light. 

What does the fellow mean?'* said Leverett, 
turning to Olive. 

I — I don’t know — exactly,** faltered the girl, ‘‘ but 
if you don’t mind, I think we*d better go home/* 


About the middle of the forenoon of the 
14- day following, Richard Merriam Esq. alighted, 
valise in hand, from a team which he had hired 
to convey him from Williamsport to Gap 
Harbor, and made immediate inquiries for 
one Henry Leverett. He was given the required 


A LEGAL WRECK I33 

information as to Leverett’s rooms, and proceeded 
thither at once. 

The welcome he received v/as most hearty, but he 
cut it short, and proceeded at once to business, 
Leverett gave him an account of the attempted ab- 
duction, and with a series of sharp incisive ques- 
tions Merriam drew forth all the points that could 
be used in ferreting out the guilty parties. 

But although Leverett mentioned the name of 
Olive Gray and Cap’n Smith many times, there was 
not the slightest allusion on Merriam’s part, to the 
fact that he had heard these names before, or had 
any other business with the owners of them than 
that of which Leverett spoke. Nor did he give any 
sign or hint that he suspected the reason why Lev- 
erett lingered in Gap Harbor. 

‘‘You must take me up to this Smith house,^’ said 
he, “ I want to ask the girl herself some questions.” 

“ All right,” said Leverett, “ well go this evening.” 

“ Perhaps youll go this evening,” said Merriam, 
“ but I shall be on my way — on my way to Boston 
by that time. Lll go now.” Saying wLich, he rose 
and threw away the cigarette he had been smoking. 

“Not at all,” remonstrated Leverett. “You are 
going with me on my yacht this afternoon. I need 
you. It’s very difficult to get a man to help me 
navigate.” 

“Youll find it extremely difficult to get me to 
help you navigate,” replied Merriam, dryly. “ My 
boy, I never was on a yacht in my life ! ” 

“ Then it*s time you were,” answered the other 
good naturedly. “If you should have a case in- 
volving a yacht, you ought to be familiar with the 
thing.” 

“ Point well taken,” said Merriam. “ But really, I 
couldn’t assist you in the — in the least. I don’t 
know the rudder from the dog-watch.” 

. “ Can’t you pull a rope when I tell you ? ” Merri- 
am was hesitating, and Leverett pressed up on his 
advantage. “ See here, you never had a good time 


134 


A LEGAL WRECK 


in your life. YouVe getting so confoundedly dried 
up I can hear your bones rustle ! I want you to give 
in once, and enjoy life.*’ 

Merriam finally — and it was a most unusual thing 
for him — did give in. He liked Leverett exceed- 
ingly, knowing exactly what manner of man he was, 
and decided to spend the afternoon in his com- 
pany, just to see how it would seem, and also to gain 
what knowledge he could on the subject of yachts. 

Leverett sent word to Olive that a friend had 
unexpectedly come down from Boston, and he was 
going to take him off for a sail. He added that he 
would take the liberty of bringing him to call on her 
in the evening. 

The two men went out through the narrow pass 
of the Gap about four in the afternoon. Leverett 
was an admirable sailor, and, though he had taken 
but two trips in his yacht since it arrived, he felt 
thoroughly acquainted with the boat and with the 
water in the neighborhood. Several old salts, with 
whom he had struck up an acquaintance, made so 
bold ” as to warn him that he had better not get 
caught outside in a blow “ with that there cockle- 
shell of a thing.” But he was fearless, and never 
hesitated to take chances. 

But there was another man with Leverett on this 
occasion whose nature was quite the reverse, Rich- 
ard Merriam never took chances. His methods were 
precise, absolute, covering all contingencies. Possi- 
bly, then, the superstitious can attribute to him the 
misfortune which followed, and the peril in which 
the two found themselves in the course of a very 
few hours. 

Ed Smith, from a place of concealment, saw 
Leverett and Merriam board the yacht, his eyes 
glittering with the evil which he wished them. Had 
he known that the light, bird-like little vessel, which 
shortly after spread its white wing, skimmed swallow- 
like across the bay, and darted out through the nar- 
row pass, was doomed to destruction ; had he been 


A LEGAL WRECK 


135 


permitted to foresee that it would never enter that 
Gap again, his joy would have been uncontrollable. 

His first intimation that there was a possibility of 
such a thing came an hour and a half later, when he 
happened to look at the northeastern sky. He 
stopped suddenly in his rapid walk, and for several 
minutes stood perfectly still. His practiced eye, 
familiar with every weather indication which served 
to warn sea-workers of approaching danger, detected 
the beginning of a cloud-shape whose appearance 
announced sudden danger. At first he feared he 
was mistaken. He could not see so clearly as he 
once could. Therefore for a while he watched a 
small dark mass on the horizon twist itself into a 
shape which is, to a mariner, as the head of a serpent 
to a woman. 

Suddenly Ed turned and ran up a road which 
wound in steep grades along the side of one of the 
hills back of the town. Leaving the road he dashed 
throvigh a wooded place, and came out on a rocky 
ledge, clear of trees, where he commanded a view of 
the harbor. 

He was not mistaken. Even now the smacks 
were coming in, and occasionally a schooner which 
although accustomed to rough weather, was in 
danger near the perilous rocks each side of the Gap. 
His own schooner he had sold, and his evil wish for 
disaster to others was unmixed with any selfish 
anxiety concerning his own property. 

The black cloud shot rapidly up the sky, but to 
Ed it seemed hardly to move. Its mass was torn 
and twisted by violent whirling winds. When it 
broke upon the water there would be mischief. If 
once it swept across the mouth of the Gap a vessel’s 
chance of getting in was lost. Trembling with 
anxiety, fearing every moment to see the little white- 
winged yacht dash in through the dark and narrow 
opening, he kept his eyes riveted in the direction of 
the pass, hardly breathing as he watched. 

There was an ominous roar. A dull and dreadful 


13^ 


A LEGAL WRECK 


howling as of wild beasts under the earth, broke 
upon his ear. The storm-cloud burst upon the 
ocean. The yacht had failed to make the harbor. 
Now they must try to weather the alt outside ! 

A great joy crowded the breast of Ed Smith 
until its pressure nearly choked him. He stood 
drinking in every sound of the furious storm, feast- 
ing his eyes upon the flying, wind-swept clouds, 
upon the white-flecked water of the harbor, — even 
in that sheltered place answ^ering the lashings of the 
storm with foamy anger. He stood there until the 
darkness descended upon him and he could see no 
more. 


The Cap’n and Mazey were sitting together 

15. before a fire in the sea parlor, listening in 
silence to the roar of the gale outside. Above 
the shrill whistle of the wind would come an 
occasional deep boom and crash as the great 
seas hurled themselves against the face of the rock 
a short distance away. 

The lamps were burning rather dim, and notwith- 
standing the fire, which had been kindled because 
the air was chilly and damp, a spirit of gloom and 
foreboding seemed hovering over the place. 

There was a loud crash outside and quite near, as 
if timbers had fallen. The Cap’n rose at once and 
went to the door, followed by Mazey, who carried 
with him the three-legged stool upon which he had 
been sitting, and which he preferred to any chair. 
He was so accustomed to picking it up and carrying 
it in his right hand when he went about the house, 
that it was now a habit. 

The Cap’n opened the door and looked out, the 
wind blowing his thin, white locks so that they stood 
straight back from his head. 

** Can you make out what that was ? he aisked, 
without turning. 


A LEGAL WRECK 1 37 

It were the roof o' your small shed, sir," prompt- 
ly reported the old mate. 

That there roof couldn’t a’ been carried away — 
I made it fast to the chimbley when I seed this blow 
a-comin’.’’ 

“ That mzy be, but the chimbley’s carried away as 
well," replied Mazey. 

Burned if you can’t see more with that there 
one eye o’ yours than I can with two ! " Having 
uttered this tribute to Mazey’s power of observation 
the Cap’n closed the door and went toward the fire, 
mtittering to himself a general condemnation of 
chimneys in general. ‘‘These brick an’ mud mum- 
meries — you can’t place no reliance on ’em whatsom- 
ever," Mazey heard him say, — and he believed every 
word, — “ they’d orter build a chimbley o’ timbers 
an’ make it fire-proof onto the Inside of it." 

The two old sailors settled down again and listened 
to the storm. There was great trouble on the 
Cap’n’s mind, for he knew that his beloved adopted 
daughter was in distress, and for that matter he him- 
self was very anxious. Sadie, who used to help 
about the house before the advent of Mrs Dunks, 
had brought word from the village that Mr. Leverett 
and his friend had failed to get in before the storm 
broke. She told the Cap’n this in the little front 
hall, and Olive who was in the parlor heard it. He 
saw her go by him and up the little stairway soon 
after, and her face was very white. She had not 
been down since. Yet there was nothing to do but 
wait. 

The silence between the two men was a heavy one, 
thick with gloom. The language of silence is far 
more significant — more impressive — more powerful 
than the language of words. When it is happy, 
what exquisite happiness ! When it is angry, how 
intense — how bitter — how implacable the anger ! 
When contemptuous, what withering, scathing con- 
tempt ! When gloomy, how dark, how oppressive 
the gloom I The silence of grief is grief unutterable. 


138 


A LEGAL WRECK 


The silence of gladness, gladness that cannot be said. 
The silence of love, a yearning tenderness beyond the 
power of telling. 

TDlive came into the room, but neither heard her. 
Her step was light. The rustle of her dark, close- 
fitting dress could not be heard above the whistling 
wind. Very white she looked and very beautiful, 
her eyes seeming unnaturally large, and mutely ask- 
ing for some word of hope. 

She touched the Cap’n on the shoulder lightly. He 
stood before her at once. Mazey, always true to his 
limited knowledge of etiquette, rose also. 

I want to speak with you,’' was all she said. 

“ Yes, young leddy — so ye shall,” said the Cap’n in 
a cheerful voice, although his heart was sinking at the 
thought of what she would ask him. 

The storm — is it — is it very bad, uncle?” 

The poor old Cap’n knew not what to say. 

“ You need not tell me — I see from your face that 
it is,” and she turned away and walked slowly toward 
the door of the room. 

‘‘ We’ve seen wuss blows ’n this here, eh, Mazey ?’^ 
suddenly spoke up the Cap’n, happily thinking of 
this easy way of putting it. 

‘‘ Aye aye, sir,” said the ever-faithful old mate, 
only too willing to do something toward relieving 
Olive’s anxiety. He would have been perfectly de- 
lighted if he could have taken Leverett’s place in the 
yacht, aye, and been drowned, too, to serve this girl. 

“ Now,” said the Cap’n, as Olive turned toward 
them, we’re a-jist a-goin’ to take the widder home, 
bein’ as it’s blowin’ up so lively. Stan’ by, sir,” he 
added to Mazey, an’ git her ready.” 

Aye aye, sir ! ” gurgled Mazey, in deep bass, and 
he disappeared with his stool into the next room. 

Olive hurried to the Cap’n and in quick, excited 
words begged him, after leaving Mrs. Dunks at home, 
to go on to the village and ask for news of the yacht. 

“ But I doesn’t likes to leave ye alone here that 
long,” he said, tenderly. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


139 


‘‘Never mind about me, unde/’ she was holding 
his hand tightly, “don’t you see I must know — per- 
haps we can help in some way — Oh ! If I could help 
him/*" Then suddenly remembering herself she 
turned her beautiful tender eyes full upon him. “ I 
-suppose you think I am — foolish, tmde. Perhaps’ 

I s » 

am. 

“ I doesn’t think so, young leddy — not noways,” 
answered the Cap’n, soothingly, “ not noways ; the 
more we thinks of any one, the more we is con- 
sarned on their account.” 

“ Yes, uncle,” and the dark eyes sought the floor. 

“ Now don’t ye be disheartened, an’ I’ll go to the 
village an’ inquire. He might ’a’ got in at Pigeon’s 
Cove ; there aren’t no tollin’.” 

The Cap’n pulled on his pea-jacket and his cap, 
and in a moment Mrs. Dunks came through the 
room followed by Mazey, and the three went into 
the little front hall together. Olive stood silently 
by the window and Mrs. Dunks did not see her. 
As the door was opened and the wind and noise of 
the storm burst upon them, Mrs. Dunks spoke up : 

“ Isn’t it a awful night out, Cap’n ? ” said she, and 
then rattled on as they tried to hurry her away, “ in- 
deed, I do pity them as is caught outside in this 
storm, if any there be — ” 

“Is she swung clear?” shouted the Cap’n to 
Mazey, knowing the widow’s words were piercing his 
loved one’s heart. 

“ All clear, sir,” came the hoarse bass gurgle 
through the moaning wind. 

“ Make fast an’ tow ’er out inter the ^ann’l.” 

“ Aye aye, sir ! ” And at that moment the door 
was closed and Olive was alone. 

For some time she stood like- a statue, perfectly 
motionless — forgetting even that she had a body to 
move. It was a strange feeling that seemed to be 
creeping upon her, a feeling as if she were losing her- 
self — going out of herself. Slowly and without 
knowing it she sank down upon a chair, and sat 


140 


A LEGAL WRECK 


with her eyes staring wide open, yet seeing nothing 
before her. Her senses seemed leaving her — a 
numbness was extending itself over her whole body, 
leaving her brain doubly active. She thought not 
of herself, only of what seemed to be coming be- 
fore her. It was water. Tossed, seething, foaming 
water. And then a terrible driving blast of wind 
filled with spray rushed past, and at once the storm 
beat about her, and she was in it, not fearing it for 
herself, no, no — for some one else — one who was all 
the world to her — one she loved even to adoration 
— one she would give her life a thousand times to 
save, for had he not saved hers ? And he was in 
this storm — she looked through the driving foam- 
through the crashing seas — and as she looked she 
saw a light boat with broken mast and sail dragging, 
driven before the gale — tossed — battered — over- 
whelmed by the raging water that broke upon it, yet 
still weathering the angry blows — still driven on — on 
toward dangerous reefs. Now she could see him 
holding to the frail, tossing support ; not alone 
holding himself, but gripping with one hand upon a 
companion, so that he should not be swept away — • 
and still they w^ere driven toward dangerous reefs! 
There must be some help for them ! She tried to 
cry out, and springing to her feet, hurried forward 
unconscious that she was still in the room. 

A voice she knew startled her. It was like a blow 
upon the head. It recalled her to herself, and the 
recalling was painful, like the first using of a limb 
after it has been benumbed with sleep or cold. She 
pressed her hands against her forehead and stood 
bewildered, looking about vacantly. Before her was 
a misty, shadowy figure, at first very faint, but as 
her sight returned, growing more and more distinct 
until she saw standing in the doorway facing her the 
bulky form of Edward Smith. 

I knocked, but you didn’t answer.” 

Olive turned slowly from him and moved away. 
She gave him no thought, for her mind was upon 


A LEGAL WRECK 


I4I 

what she had seen. It seemed a reality yet — could 
it have been a dream ? 

‘‘ I suppose I can speak to you.*’ 

Olive hardly hears him. 

He comes nearer to her, glancing this way and 
that to be certain they are alone. Then, in a louder 
voice, one that makes her turn to him, I say, I sup- 
pose I can speak to you now! 

Olive looks at him a moment before answering. 

‘‘ What do you wish to say ?” she asks quietly. 

I ain’t nothing to you — I know that! Ha — Td 
ought to! You’ve told me plain enough ! ” 

“ I told you only the truth.” 

Yes,” he said in a lower but more intense tone, 
yes, you told me the truth ; and Tm going to tell j/02i 
the truth now! I ain’t had a chance like this before.” 

Olive looked at the fellow steadily. She was be- 
ginning to realize that she was alone with him, and 
knew instinctively that no sign of fear must escape 
hen Therefore, although she would have turned 
from his loathsome presence and left the room, she 
stood unflinchingly before him, her eyes upon his 
face. 

“ You can’t do that again!” he muttered, shaking 
his head from side to side, so don’t you try it! ” 

She said nothing. 

‘‘Once you could. Once you could throw me off 
with your eyes — once you could a’ held me back with 
’em — but not now — not when I think o’ /nm He 
looked at her an instant, a red glitter growing in his 
bloodshot eye ; then suddenly broke out : “ Haven’t 
I done what you said — gave up my bad ways, worked, 
kept sober — an’ for what! To see you bring him 
down here I To see him following you everywhere — 
never taking his eyes off you — standing by your 
side — my place by rights — ” 

“ You are mistaken,” said Olive quickly, but she 
could not stop the torrent of his words now that 
it had broken loose. 

“Yes mine — mineV he went ^pn excitedly, “and 


142 


A LEGAL WRECK 


that man forcing me out ! That’s what makes me 
desperate, an’ I tell you now, whatever it is that’s be- 
tween him and you — ” 

'' There is nothing between us ! ” Olive said this 
so suddenly and with such emphasis that Ed stopped 
and stood looking at her. It came like a stone in 
his path. And Olive, who was truthful in all things, 
spoke in sincerity. Although she knew Mr. Lev- 
erett loved her, and though he was dearer to her than 
life, yj^t nothing had been spoken between them. 

Oh — nothing ! ” repeated Ed, looking at her with 
distrust in his eye. 

She did not answer again. 

‘‘Then I’ll go,” said he, after a moment of indecis- 
ion. “ I’ll go — if there ain’t nothing between you. 
That’s all I want to knowo” He turned and went 
toward the door. Hesitating there for an instant he 
came back into the room and approached the wide 
window, out of which he made a pretense of looking. 

Olive, when he turned away, had gone toward the 
further side of the room, and, as if the interview 
were ended, sank listlessly upon the piano-stool and 
ran her fingers lightly over the keys. 

Ed turned and looked at her. Her back was 
to him. Her careless attitude as she sat sideways, 
something as if she were upon a horse, with one little 
French-heeled slipper showing behind, the other be- 
fore her upon the pedal, was full of unstudied grace. 
He watched her hands as they wandered trippingly 
with little bird-like flights this way and that, some- 
times running out on each side where he could see 
them, and then darting back out of sight. He saw the 
bewitching little motions of her head as she uncon- 
sciously marked the time of what she was playing, 
the dark glowing hair twisted into a rich braid and 
fastened behind in a simple coil, excepting below 
where it was too short to control and frizzed itself 
into tiny close curls on her white rounded neck. 
The music fell upon his ear, each note fanning the 
flame that consumed him. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


143 


And Olive sat there as if she had forgotten his 
presence; yet she knew the music she was play- 
ing so carelessly was holding him back as it might 
have held a wild beast. 

She came to the end of an exquisite bit from a 
waltz, a movement full of grace and lightsome 
swing, and in the brief pause before beginning 
something else, she heard his voice : 

That’s pretty music you’re playing.” 

She hesitated an instant, for what he said surprised 
her. Her fingers were just pressing upon the notes 
again. 

'‘There’s a pretty good gale on to-night.” 

Her heart leaped up so that she almost gasped. 
Her hands refused to push down the keys. She 
waited to catch anything more he might say. Now 
his faintest whisper could not have escaped her. 

" A heavy sea running — a nasty sea that breaks 
an’ sets over.” 

For a moment she did not move. She did not 
breathe. Then she realized that she was being 
watched. Controlling her arms with an effort she 
struck a few notes, but her ears did not hear them ; 
she listened only for what he might say of the storm. 

" If there was a yacht out there now, it would go 
down.” 

A sudden breathless cry, and Olive was upon her 
feet, one hand tightly holding the folds of the piano 
cover. 

Quickly Ed shot out the words, I see there ain^t 
nothing between ye f 

" Why should this concern you ? ” said Olive 
with intense indignation. 

“ You know why ! ” 

" Who put my personal affairs in your charge ? ” 

"You wouldn’t have anything to do with rne. 
You found a better one! A city chap! A gentle- 
man / You ” 

" That’s enough ! ” She was close to him, her eyes 
blazing into his face. “ I have listened to you while 


144 


A LEGAL WRECK 


you talked about yourself — if you are going to favor 
me with your opinion of other people I will not 
stay ! '' 

‘‘ Look here ! ” said Ed excitedly, and standing 
before her as she would have moved toward the 
door; I don't stop at much now! — There ain't 
nothing I care for nor no one — I'd murder a man 
for you — I d — " 

A faint distant report above the sound of the 
storm had caused this sudden break in the midst of 
Ed’s passionate rush of words. 

Olive stood statue-like, her face taking on the 
whiteness of marble. Both listened. 

Another faint report seemed to beat itself weakly 
upon the wind. Ed went to the door, opened it, 
and stood listening a moment. Then he closed it 
and turned to Olive. 

There’s some one on the rocks." 

Who is it ? " she questioned in a single whisper- 
ing breath. 

How do I know ? " 

You do know I " She had come near him and was 
looking in his face. 

Well, what if I do ! " 

They are on the rocks ! " The words came quickly, 
breathlessly. On the rocks where the Caroline 
went down — those dangerous reefs ! " 

Yes, I know," replied Ed sullenly. 

But she did not notice the malignant look in his eye. 

‘‘ They can't get ashore from there ! The rope 
— the raft — you can reach them — you can reach 
them if you go quickly — oh, hurry ! " 

Hurry ! " repeated Ed in a strange voice. 

She looked at him an instant, not understanding. 

What do you mean?" her lips formed the words, 
but there was no sound. 

Suddenly she started back. 

“You will let them drown! You will not help 
them — because you think he is — " 

“I’m sure of it. It couldn't be no one else. I 


A LEGAL WRECK 


I4S 


saw *em get aboard the yacht an* his friend carried a 
revolver. — An* there it is again/* he added, as another 
report was heard. 

You would let them drown, and do nothing, 
when they are so near you can almost hear their 
cries for help ! ** She looked at him for an instant, but 
he stood impassive. 

Suddenly she started toward the door. He 
moved quickly before her. 

“ Where are you going ? *’ he asked. 

“No matter,’* she replied. 

“Yes it is matter. Where are you going, T say?” 

“ Where you refuse to go ! ** and as she said it, she 
made an effort to pass him. 

“ No you don't!” he exclaimed brutally, jumping 
quickly in her way again. 

Now she knew the depth of his baseness. Now 
his inhuman selfishness was revealed. Suddenly 
turning she darted toward the window, and before he 
knew it had sprung upon the cushioned locker before 
it. He heard the crash and shiver of breaking glass, 
but at the same instant he caught her by the waist 
and swung her back into the room. She tore his 
hands from their hold and ran toward the door again, 
but again he intercepted her, and she stood before 
him panting, white with anger. 

“ If you are such an inhuman wretch that you will 
not help a drowning man, you shall not prevent me ! *’ 
and she made a desperate attempt to pass him, but 
he held her back. 

“ Coward ! coward ! coward ! coward ! ** she poured 
out the words hotly — rapidly. — “ Never speak to me 
— never look at me again ! Beast ! If there is justice 
on earth you shall pay for this — it is murder — mur- 
der ! 

Again the mufffed report of a revolver was heard. 

“ Hear it again ! she moaned, turning away as if 
to find some means of escape. “ Oh I beg — I beg 
you!” her voice was appealing now, “ Think what 
you are doing!” 


146 A LEGAL WRECK 

“ I know what I’m doing,” was all the reply he 
gave. 

"‘‘If you have any regard for me, go and help them ! 
I will pay you,” she added with a sudden thought, 
“ I will pay you — anything I have — anything you 
ask that I can get — anythmg ! ” 

Smith looked at her as she spoke these last words, 
and a new idea seemed to come to him. 

“Yes — ril help them — I’ll help them if you will 
pay me what I. want.” 

“Yes, yes, I will — all the money I have — any I 
can get — perhaps I can get more for you — ” 

“ I don’t want your moneys 
She looked at him questioningly. 

“ You know what I want — it’s you. You yourself. 
Nothing else. Youl* 

Olive slowly backed away from him. 

“ What else would make me risk my life for him ? 
What else? But for you I’d risk anything — an’ I’ll 
do it. Now it rests with you to save him, not me. 
Give me your promise, that’s all I ask, — for I know 
you’ll keep it, — give me your promise, an’ I’ll get a 
line to ’em if I have to swim for it. But you’ll have 
to answer quick — they ain’t got much time — it’s lif^ 
or death ! ” 

“ This is a crime I ” whispered Olive ; crime ! ” 
“ Crime or no crime it’s his only chance,” said he, 
quickly; and he turned and went toward the door, as 
if ready to go. 

“ Do you mean,” asked the poor girl, her voice 
quivering, “ do you mean that you would extort a 
promise from me by such a — ” 

“ No. Do what you like,” he replied, “ I don’t 
extort nothing.” And he turned away from the 
door. 

“ Oh, stop — wait ! ” she cried out to him in agony. 
He stood still again. “ I must think — give me — a 
little time ! How can I decide so soon ? — all I ask 
— all I ask — is a little time ! ” And she sank upon 
a chair, covering her face with her hands. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


147 


He gave her only an instant, but in that instant 
her thoughts swept backward to the day of her 
peril, when Henr}^ Leverett’s strong arm had saved 
her, when his firm hand was stretched out to her as 
she was sinking to what would have been worse than 
death. And now he was in peril — he was sinking — - 
she would save him — that was all. There could be 
no question — nothing should stand in the way of it. 

Listen ! That shot was fainter ! They’re going 
down ! They’re going down ! It’s your only chance 
now ! If you want to — ” 

“ Go ! Save him ! Save him ! ” Olive was by his 
side. I promise what you wish! I will keep my 
word if you save him ! 

“ When ? Say when ? I must know that.” 

“ Anything — as you please. Oh, do not delay — 
only save him — that’s all I ask ! ” 

But before he went he made the cruel bargain 
complete. Within the week she must keep her 
word. Within the week, or he would not move. 
Within the week, or a life would be lost. And she 
promised. She would have agreed to any conditions 
then. 

He wasted no time when the final word was 
spoken. Shouting to her to bring a light, he tore 
across the road and over the narrow strip of ground 
to the low cliffs, down which he climbed and slipped 
and jumped until he reached the place where the 
raft and the rope were kept. 

It was raining now, but Olive did not know it, as 
she hurried after with a lantern, following along the 
uneven rocks, springing from one to another, with 
no thought of her own danger, thinking only of a 
life she had promised her own to save. 

“ Where are they?” shouted Ed from the bottom 
of the wall of rock, where the waves seemed to 
throw themselves with all the strength that was left 
them. “ Do you see them ?” 

“No — not yet,” she answered, as loud as she 
could, with a sinking of the heart. 


148 


A LEGAL WRECK 


“ Look ! quick ! he called back to her, his voice 
coming faintly through the spray and the roar. 

She ran along the very edge of the black abyss, 
straining her eyes into the darkness as she went ; 
listening with her whole soul for some sound that 
should come up with the crash of the waters. 


It was more than half an hour later when 

16. Olive tried to open the door of the house, 
and could not, because her strength was 
gone. But as she tried, the Cap’n heard her, 
and opening it, caught her in his arms as she 
would have fallen in. 

Marciful Jane ! Are this here you ? '' was all he 
could say. He had supposed she was in her room. 

“ Uncle,’' she gasped, please go — please go — and 
help them ! ” 

‘‘ Help who ? ” 

The — yacht is wrecked — on the rocks ! ” and she 
sank upon a chair. 

‘‘ Stan’ by lively ! ” 

Aye aye, sir! ” 

The Cap’n and Mazey started for the door. As 
they reached it, Ed entered, dripping with water. 

How is it Ed’ard?” asked the Cap’n. 

‘‘ Go down and give ’em a hand,” was the surly 
response. ‘‘ I’ve got ’em ashore.” 

‘‘That we will! ” and the two disappeared into the 
storm. 

“Well, I pulled ’em out, didn’t I ?” demanded Ed, 
fastening his eyes upon the white face that was 
turned to his. 

“ Yes,” she replied. 

“ I don’t know whether his friend ’ll ever come to, 
but he s out of it, an’ that’s all you wanted of me.” 
He gave her a sharp look, and passed through to the 
kitchen. 

A few moments later the Cap’n and Mazey assisted 


A LEGAL WRECK 


149 


Leverett into the house. As they entered he was 
begging them to go back. and help his friend, assur- 
ing them that he needed no further assistance. 
Nevertheless when they left him, he tottered and had 
to support himself by the back of a chair. 

After he had seen the Cap’n and Mazey go to Mer- 
riam's assistance, he turned and his eyes rested upon 
Olive. She had risen and her face was away from 
him. 

Only a few moments before, while in his darkest 
peril, when all hope seemed gone, his strength fail- 
ing, holding Merriam’s senseless body with one arm, 
clinging to the wreckage of his yacht with the other, 
her form had appeared upon the frowning cliff 
against which he expected every moment to be 
hurled. She stood there an angel of hope — of life — . 
of light. He knew she had aided in his rescue, 
although he was ignorant of how much she had 
done — what a price she had paid that he might live. 

He entered the room, the tears flooding into his 
eyes, and would have thrown himself at her feet. 
As he tottered toward her, she turned her pale face 
upon him. 

Olive! His whole soul seemed to enter into the 
broken voice with which he spoke her name. He 
went toward her. In an instant he would have 
held her in his arms. But he was prevented. 

Ed Smith stepped quickly before him. Leverett 
stopped, looking at the fellow in surprise. Then he 
heard a low moan, and saw Olive turn away and 
sink down upon a chair. 

‘‘ Come in here and get dry,'' said Smith. 

Leverett suffered himself to be led from the room. 


THIRD COUNT 

ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO KILL 

It is not always an agreeable matter when 
I . young ladies receive letters from young gentle- 
men asking for releases from matrimonial en- 
gagements. In very many cases a decided 
aversion to this class of correspondence may 
be observed. This aversion, nine times out of ten, 
results from appalling ignorance and hazardous in- 
experience. Ignorance on the subject of the young 
gentlemen involved. Inexperience in that branch 
of existence known as married life. 

And yet, what can be done ? How are young 
ladies to acquire the necessary knowledge and experi- 
ence which shall teach them to avoid what is danger- 
ous, without being subjected to the possibility of 
making fatal mistakes? In other matters of far less 
consequence they are forewarned and forearmed. A 
very little experience gives them a wholesome dread 
of deep water, a profitable inclination to retire from 
the brink of a precipice, a salutary distaste for inti- 
mate contact with fire, an encouraging tendency to 
avoid the society of snakes and other reptiles, and a 
cheering aversion to living upon the same footing 
with mice. But in the region of dangerous matri- 
mony there seems to be no warning — no life-saving 
antipathy. On the contrary, though there must 
follow in the great majority of cases poisonous, 
smarting stings, heart-burns, soul-contusions, drown- 
ings of sentiment, headlong tumbles from the most 
romantic heights into the mud and dirt of the utterly 
common-place, yet the victim is beckoned on by 
every hand, urged forward by every voice. 

As natur.e refuses to give the danger signal, it is 


A LEGAL WRECK 


I5I 

hopeless for mortals to try to supply the deficiency. 
Those who have tasted the cup can say nothing to 
those about to drink. Though they lift a poisonous 
draught to their lips, yet no word can be spoken, no 
hand can reach out to strike the enchanting goblet 
from their grasp. It is the most delicious beverage 
ever conceived of by man. Words cannot tell its 
charm. Poetry, song, and even music struggle in 
vain to give an idea of its delightsomeness. It is 
served in a crystal glass, it is sweetened, an^ sparkles 
and foams, and its fragrance strikes through to the 
very soul. Those who come within its enchanting 
spell must drink. They seize the cup ; they sw^allow 
the liquor down, and say it is good. And after a 
time the unpleasant fact is revealed, that not only 
does the dose they have taken fail to agree with 
them, but they find it equally diffxcult to agree with 
the dose. 

Although there are undoubtedly exceptional cases, 
nevertheless, a young lady should be given a realiza- 
tion of the fact that an exception is less likely to 
occur than that which falls under the general rule. 
The matter should be made the subject of careful 
study and investigation, and a lectureship established 
at' every boarding-school and seminary in the land, 
for the special enlightenment of the female mind. 
It could, perhaps, be made a department of mathe- 
matics, but is of sufficient importance to occupy a 
chair of its own. A record of all marriages should 
be kept, and the absolute amount of happiness or 
unhappiness resulting from each be ascertained. 
Also the ages at which the happy marriages oc- 
curred, and other data concerning them. From this 
could be learned the exact ratio of the happy to the 
unhappy, and, with a little figuring (which the young 
lady should be compelled to do herself on the black- 
board), each member of the class could find, on any 
particular day the exact chance she stood of making 
a fortunate union This she should be required to 
calculate with precision at leas^ once a week, and be 


I5« 


A LEGAL WRECK 


prepared to give before the whole school, if called 
upon to do so, after the devotional exercises in the 
morning. 

If, after such thorough instruction on the subject, 
a young lady ever received a request that the 
engagement between herself and the requestor be 
considered at an end, she could hardly avoid a feel- 
ing of the most thorough intellectual joy which it is 
possible for mathematics to bestow. 

' Edith Kimball, one very sunshiny morning, broke 
open an envelope addressed to her in Henry Lever- 
ett’s bold but awkward handwriting, and read such 
a request as the above. She had no more than fin- 
ished the first three lines of the letter when she 
sprang to her feet with an exclamation that could 
not mean anything but wild delight. Hurriedly 
glancing over the page, but not stopping to read it, 
she ran out of the room, flew down stairs, and 
alarmed her mother by bounding into the room 
where she was looking over one of the morning 
papers, and throwing herself into her arms. 

Edith was certainly filled with joy. But it was not 
the unerring and discriminating joy which must flow 
from the appreciation of a mathematical formula. 
It was not derived from a knowledge of the extreme 
improbability of her making a happy marriage, cal- 
culated on the ratio of chances up to that day of 
her life. Had such a calculation been possible, on 
the limited knowledge of the subject then at hand, 
she would have been the very last person in the 
world who could have availed herself of it. 

Mamma — mamma! Read die rest of it — quick! 
Fve only read the first part — Em afraid to look at 
the other for fear he takes it back I Oh, do read it ! '' 

Mrs. Kimball glanced over the letter, but before 
she came to the end Edith had said half a dozen 
times, Does he ? Oh, does he ? Why don't you tell 
me, mamma ! " 

No, dear, he does not take it back,'' said Mrs, 
Kimball, in a soothing voice. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


153 


Isn't that /^rfectly lovely ! exclaimed the girl. 

‘‘Why, Edith,'' remonstrated her mother, gently, 
“ it doesn't seem quite right to speak in this way 
about ii." 

“ But I can't help it — it’s right to say what we 
really feel, isn’t it ? It would be deceiving if I 
didn’t, and I wouldn’t deceive you, mamma, for the 
world ! ” and Edith, embraced her mother tenderly, 
at which Mrs. Kimball could not help smiling. Sud- 
denly she started up and looked very much alarmed. 
“ I’m afraid he’ll send another letter saying he didn’t 
mean it — I’ve heard they often do, mamma. Would 
it do any harm for me to telegraph ? ” 

“ My dear child ! " exclaimed her mother, “ Why, 
you mustn't do anything of that kind. You know 
better ! " 

“Yes, of course, but can't I do sornethin^^?" 

“ Do you feel quite sure that you wish to comply 
with his request?" 

Edith turned and looked at her mother as if per- 
fectly thunderstruck that she should ask such a 
question. Finally she said, in an injured tone, 
“Well! Do you ^xi^pose — if — if I hadn’t ever seen 
such a person as Arthur Eggleston, that I would 
make Henry marry me after sending such a letter 
as this?" 

Mrs. Kimball smiled upon her daughter calmly, 
not at all as if she had been utterly routed for ask- 
ing the astonishing question. 

“And besides," went on Edith, as emphatically as 
ever, ^‘‘htsides, haven’t I been thinking for months 
of writing the very same thing to him, and now all 
I’ve got to do is to say, “Certainly, Harry, go and 
be happy, and may Heaven bless you both!" ex- 
tending her delicate hands as if in benediction over 
an imaginary couple. 'Then suddenly overcome by 
the drollery of the idea, she burst into a merry rol- 
licking laugh, and before it was over her mother 
suddenly missed her, and upon investigation found 
that slie had flown upstairs and was sitting at her 


154 


A LEGAL WRECK 


little cherry writing desk, answering Mr. Leverett's 
letter, with the most serious countenance imagin- 
able. 

Her mother watched her a moment, and soon 
.saw that she was very much in doubt over the mat- 
ter in hand. So she went to her and put her hand 
on the pretty, vivacious shoulder. 

‘^Oh — Vm so glad you’ve come. Do you think it 
would do^ if I just let him know — ^just — inadvertent- 
ly, you know, that I — that — ?” 

“ No, dear, I wouldn’t say anything about it,'’ re- 
plied Mrs. Kimball. 

But it might make him feel better, you see, and — 
and Fm quite positive it would me'' and Edith 
laughed again. But finally she said her moth^ was 
right and it really wasn't best to say anything about 
it at all. 

She wrote as many as eleven releasing letters 
that day, but none of them suited her. She tried 
several times the day following, but again her efforts 
went into the waste-paper basket, torn in such very 
smcdl pieces that no inquisitive mortal would have 
been able, by the aid of the most extreme ingenuity, 
to patch one together and read it, though what 
object a mortal could possibly have in trying to do 
so Edith did not stop to inquire. Perhaps she had 
an idea that if the notes were not torn to shreds, 
there was a possibility of their being pieced to- 
gether and other names substituted, so that she 
would be made, thereby, to release any number of 
young men, when she only intended to liberate one. 

Notwithstanding the haste she was in to send a 
reply, it was several days later when the answer to 
Leverett’s letter was finally mailed. 

The very next day a dispatch was brought to the 
house which affected the mother and daughter so 
deeply that they were silent a long time ; Edith 
sobbed upon her mother’s breast, and tears from the 
tenderest place in her heart came into Mrs. Kim- 
ball’s eyes. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


155 

That evening they took the Boston & Maine ex- 
press bound north. 


Persons who have remained beneath the sur- 
2. face of water or other liquid until they are 
unconscious, and who have therefore passed:^ 
through all the stages of drowning, and expe- 
rienced all the annoyances connected there- 
with, are exceedingly averse to being rudely pound- 
ed, shaken and kneaded back to life. This is the 
universal testimony of all who have been snatched, 
in this way, from what is popularly known as a 
watery grave. Whether this aversion arises from a 
glimpse these persons may have caught of the beau- 
tiful land beyond, or whether it merely results from 
a disinclination to be placed in a position where they 
will have to do the work of passing away all over 
again, has never been fully explained. Judging, 
however, from the fact that not one of them, after 
restoration to life, has ever been known to make a 
voluntary effort to reach the place he may have 
seen, but that all, on the contrary, have shown a 
marked inclination to remain at a safe distance from 
anything bearing the least resemblance to water, 
the conclusion is inevitable that the latter explana- 
tion of their desire to be let alone is the correct one. 
To state the case as it is, then, and not try to dis- 
guise the taste of a disagreeable fact by dissolving it 
in a flood of words, the disinclination to return to 
life is evidently the result of pure laziness. These 
people merely wish to shirk the trouble of dying 
again. Such indolence should not be encouraged, 
Cap’n Smith did not .encourage it by unnecessary 
tenderness in his methods of pumping the water out 
of and the air into the bodies of half drowned men. 
His proceedings in such cases were always marked by 
considerable violence, so much so indeed, that a per- 
son watching the affair from a little distance' would 


156 


A LEGAL WRECK 


be quite likely, not knowing the facts in the case, to 
imagine the old man had become so infuriated with 
a presumptive enemy that he had knocked him sense- 
less and was pounding and kicking him to death. 

It was near the fire in the little marine parlor that 
Richard Merriam Esq, submitted to the Cap’n's roll- 
ing and squeezing and pummeling and mauling for 
nearly twenty minutes, without a sign of life. Lev- 
erett stood near, ready to assist. Mazey held a bottle 
of brandy. Ed Smith looked on from the other side 
of the parlor where he could command at the same 
time a view of the stairs. Olive had gone to her room. 

Leverett was very anxious, and mechanically felt 
for his watch now and then, forgetting that it, too, 
needed resuscitation. The Cap'n, although nearly 
winded, redoubled his exertions as time went on, until 
it seemed as though there were more danger of death 
from violence than from drowning. 

He was working near the patient's head and turned 
toward Mazey to order another dose of brandy. At 
that moment he felt a weak hand seize hold of his 
collar, and at the same time heard an attenuated 
voice murmur, “ Send out for a policeman! " 

Everybody looked at Merriam. His eyes were 
open and fixed intently on the Cap'n's round, red 
perspiring face. The old sailor, much relieved at the 
successful termination of his labor, attempted to rise, 
but though the hand on his collar was weak, it clung 
tight and held him down. He turned to speak to 
Merriam, but Merriam spoke first. 

As sure as there is a God above us," said he, 
ril get you six months for this." 

Leverett at once explained to Merriam that he 
had been nearly drowned, and that this gentleman 
was only trying to revive him. 

It’s a cursed lie," said Merriam, becoming more 
and more indignant. The old ruffian has broken 
every bone in my body. This is a conspiracy. I’ll 
have every one in the house indicted." He looked 
about the room to see how many warrants it would 


A LEGAL WRECK 


157 


require, when his eyes happened to light upon the 
wall. He at once released the Cap'n's collar and lay 
gazing at the sea weeds, lily pads, frogs and crabs, 
and at the great fishes that seemed to blink at him 
in the dim, flickering light. 

Look here,’' he called weakly, his eyes turning 
to Leverett, ‘‘ I can’t swim ! Why don’t you pull 
me up on the bank?” 

Leverett laughed and told him he was all right 
now, reminding him of the unfortunate excursion on 
the yacht. It was not long before everything was 
clear to Merriam’s mind. 

“ And who is that venerable pugilist ? ” he asked 
in a low voice, indicating the Cap’n, who was wiping 
the perspiration from his neck and head. 

That is Cap’n Smith,” answered Leverett. 

Thaf s fortunate,” exclaimed Merriam, sitting 
up with sudden interest, Cap’n ! ” 

Cap’n Smith turned to him. 

May I have a few moment’s conversation with 
you in private? ” 

‘‘ Sartain you can,” replied the old man, surprised. 

Not to-night, I hope,” put in Leverett. 

‘‘ Leverett,” said Merriam, in a weak but impress- 
ive voice, I am going to take the first train out of 
here. Do not waste your time and mine by go- 
ing into a useless argument against it. That train 
leaves Williamsport at six-thirty in the morning. 
It is now — it is now — where the deuce is my — Oh ! ” 

'‘At any rate let me introduce you to the Cap’n; 
there’s time for that.” 

" Go on.” 

“ Cap’n Smith, my friend Mr. Richard Merriam.” 

“ How-dy-do,” said Merriam, trying to stand up; 
finding himself unable to, he shook hands with 
the Cap’n sitting on the floor. “ Excuse me for not 
rising,’ he said hurriedly, and then with a faint 
twitch of his mouth, added “ Quite an appropriate 
apolo^ for a drowning man — • excuse me for not 
rising. ” 


158 


A LEGAL WRECK 


** Lay to where you are/’ replied the Cap’n, 
heartily. 

“Thanks — I will lay to for the present,*’ returned 
Merriam. “ Leverett have you got a cigarette ? ** 
he asked, turning to his friend. 

“ Sorry to say I haven’t,” Leverett replied — “ that 
is, you couldn’t smoke ’em, they’re soaked.” 

“ Well, dry ’em out quick.” Then he turned tc 
Cap’n Smith. “ I must beg your pardon, Cap’n, for 
foolishly construing your vigorous efforts in my be- 
half into a case of assault and battery.’’' 

“ Don’t feel nowise alarmed,” answered the old 
sailor good-naturedly, “ they mostly always hits at 
me when they first comes out of it.” 

“ I don’t wonder at it,” remarked Merriam. 
“ Perhaps I must thank you for pulling me out of 
the water, as well as pumping the water out of me,” 
he added. 

“No, my son Ed’ard fished ye out/’ ^aid the 
Cap’n. 

Merriam at once staggered to his feet, and 
assisted by Leverett, went across the room and 
stopped before Ed Smith. 

“ Accept my thanks,” said he, his penetrating 
gray eyes taking the fellow in at a glance. 

“ And mine,” added Leverett extending his hand. 

When Merriam crossed the room he expected as 
a matter of course to shake hands with the man 
who had been instrumental in getting him out of 
the water. An immediate change of mind resulted 
from his inspection of the fellow. And it did not 
surprise him in the least, as Leverett’s hand was 
extended toward Smith, to see him draw back with 
a singularly malicious look in his eyes, and turning 
abruptly from them, leave the house. 

Merriam’s quick-moving eye rested for an instant 
on Leverett’s face. Leverett also turned to look at 
Merriam, but the latter’s gaze was then on the wall. 
In fact, he thought he saw at that moment a curious 
resemblance between the representation of an ugly- 


A LEGAL WRECK 


159 


mouthed, bull-headed fish before him and the man 
who had just disappeared through the doon Such 
was his habit of thought, even in trivial matters, 
that nothing could come before his mind without 
being instantly turned, weighed, tested, sifted, and 
considered with reference to its surroundings. It 
required no exertion on his part to do this. To re- 
frain from so doing would have called for strenuous 
effort. The intellectual flash of recognition when 
the likeness between the face of the man and the 
face of the fish illumined his mind for an instant, 
photographed upon it every possible significance of 
the resemblance, with the line of investigation to 
establish the correct solution clearly drawn. Within 
the beat of a second he had mentally said that one 
Olive Gray probably painted the fish ; to said Miss 
Gray the man she had fishified was for some reason 
extremely repulsive; said man had but this moment 
refused the hand of one Leverett ; from evident 
character of said man and said Leverett there is 
likely to be trouble. 

After this Merriam submitted to a rubbing-down 
and was wrapped in a blanket, while his clothes 
were drying on lines stretched over the kitchen 
stove. A blue flannel shirt and a pair of antique 
trousers had been found for Leverett, and after a 
protracted search in various lockers, Merriam was 
fitted out in a similar manner. He was soon able 
to walk about and wanted to proceed at once to 
business. 

“ First I will see Miss Gray,'* said he. 

Great heaven ! " exclaimed Leverett in his ear, 
“ you don't want to see her in that rig, do you ? " 

‘‘ It is a matter of no consequence what the rig is, 
so long as she can answer questions." As it was an 
interview with a lady, he was anxious to have it 
over as soon as possible. 

But hold on, you — you don't look respectable ! " 

If Miss Gray regards clothes as an evidence of 
respectability, I will draw up an affadavit setting 


A LEGAL WRECK 


i6o 

forth the fact that I have a suit hanging over the 
fire/' answered Merriam. In fact,” he added, 
“ she can go out there herself and view the — and 
view the remains.” 

A singular vein of humor seemed to have been 
exposed in" his dry nature by the unusual experi- 
ence he had just passed through. 

But she may have retired — she — Look here, 
Merriam, she's had a pretty tough time this evening 
getting us out of the water, and I’m afraid it’s been 
too much for her. She didn’t look right at all.” 

Getting us out of the water ! ” Qxclaimed 
Merriam. ‘‘ Did she have anything to do with 
that ? ” 

“ She had this much,” answered Leverett, that 
it was she who found us, and if she hadn’t come at 
the moment she did, we wouldn’t be here! ” 

‘‘ All the more reason why I should see her before 
go. 

“ You’re not actually going in the morning?” 

** I actually am.” 

But you won’t have time to — ” 

“ I will if you don’t occupy the whole of it in 
futile bickering. Isn’t that the young lady?” 

Leverett turned quickly. 

Olive had come down and was standing in the 
doorway. She was smiling a little, and yet with 
the smile was a look of such unutterable sadness 
that even Merriam felt it. Leverett went to her and 
took the hand she offered him with eager tenderness, 
but even as he did so she gave a little suppressed 
gasp of pain, drawing it away quickly. He saw 
that she must have been hurt, for a handkerchief 
was bound round the wrist. 

‘‘ Forgive me,” he said, speaking in a low voice, 
earnestly, tenderly. Do forgive me — I didn’t 
know you were hurt.” 

Oh, it s nothing,” and she laughingly put her 
left hand in his, only a little scratch. I’m so glad 
you are safe at last,” she added in a lower voice. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


i6i 

The smile died away from her lips, and as it did, she 
raised her beautiful eyes to his face, and he looked 
into them for a moment. But he did not know the 
depth of meaning in the look she gave him. 

Her hand had been cut by the broken glass of the 
window, when she would have gone*to help him and 
could not. 

He introduced Merriam, and she received him 
with 'her captivating girlish grace and sweetness, yet 
with the same sadness over all. Not a look or a 
tone had been lost upon him since she appeared. 
After speaking to the Cap’n a moment, she turned 
again to him. 

‘‘ We expected you this evening,'* she said with 
the least little bit of a smile. 

“ Yes, — I always try to keep appointments," he 
answered in his dry seriousness, yet with the faint 
twitching at one side of his mouth, showing that he 
was reveling in merriment — in his way. 

I was very anxious to see you to-night for two 
reasons," he went on in a cold, matter-of-fact man- 
ner, as if they were sitting in his office in the city; 
‘‘first, to express gratitude for what you have done 
this evening ; second, to — " 

“ My part of it was very little I'm afraid," Olive 
interrupted, smiling ; only holding the light, you 
know." 

“ My opinion is," rejoined Merriam, “ that you 
did more than that." He looked at her a moment 
and then said rather suddenly, “ How did you hurt 
your hand?" 

A deep color came into Olive's pale face. For a 
moment she could not speak. 

“ I cut it trying to open a window," she finally 
answered, with a forced calmness. But she felt 
Merriam’s gray eyes studying her, and colored 
again. 

Leverett was telling Cap'n Smith something about 
the storm, and did not notice Olive's embarrassment 
Second," Merriam went on, “ to have ten 


i 62 


A LEGAL WRECK 


minutes with you on business. I leave in the morn- 
ing and want to finish to-night. May I ? 

Certainly, said Olive. 

“Thank you.” He turned to Cap’n Smith. 
“ Cap’n, Miss Gray is going to give me ten minutes. 
After that I must see you for perhaps half an hour. 
Shall we go into the next room, Miss Gray ? ” 

“ Oh, I say ! ” put in Leverett, approaching the 
others, “this is too bad — it is, by Jove! — Miss Gray, 
don’t let him trouble you with this to-night — it’s 
merely about those railroad fiends — he’s going to 
look into the matter, you know.” 

But it was about something else as well, and Mer- 
riam quietly said, “ I am sure Miss Gray would 
prefer to have it over.” 

Olive consented to the interview with perfect 
good humor, assuring them that she felt as much 
like it as she ever could. It was finally arranged 
that the others should retire into the little dining 
room adjoining, leaving Merriam and Olive in the 
parlor. It was accordingly done. 

The Cap’n, Mazey and Leverett talked over the 
storm, and the narrow escape of the two young men. 
Leverett made fairly rational responses to the ques- 
tions asked him, although his thoughts were not 
upon what he said, but rather upon the sharp, monot- 
onous tone of the questions Merriam was asking in 
the next room, and the brief responses of a low musi- 
cal voice that struck through to his heart, though he 
could not understand a word that was spoken. 

It was perhaps twenty or twenty-five minutes after 
the three left Olive and Merriam in the parlor, that 
the young lawyer opened the door and stood an 
instant, in an uncertain manner quite unusual with 
him. He then came into the room where they 
were. There was a very peculiar expression upon 
his face, and he was evidently aware of it, and mak- 
ing an effort to cover it with his usual expressionless 
mask. 

“I find-^ He hesitated an instanto 


A LEGAL WRECK 


163 

Anything the matter ? '' asked Leverett, going 
toward him, for the man certainly looked as if he 
might be ill. 

No — that is I — perhaps the water affected me 
more than I thought/' 

Where do you feel it ? " 

It's of no — no consequence," answered Merriam, 
‘^but I don't know that I can finish up this business 
to-night. Perhaps I’d better wait over — until — the 
next day." 

“That’s more like it," said Leverett much pleased* 

At that moment Olive appeared at the door with 
a questioning look upon her face. 

“ Merriam doesn’t feel quite right — the sea-bath- 
ing was too much for him," said Leverett, meeting 
her as she Mvanced into the room. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry," was Olive's earnest response. 

Merriam, hearing her voice behind him, turned 
and met her sympathetic glance. But he turned 
away again quickly. ‘ He did not wish them to see 
the flush that had spread itself over his usually 
pallid face. 

It cannot be denied that the young man was singu- 
larly affected. But it was not his recent salt-water 
experience that was responsible therefor. He was 
in great danger of making another plunge, and this 
time not into the sea. 


Nancy Dunks had of late renewed her delicate 
3. attentions to the Cap’n, having made up her 
mind that the proper time had arrived for 
bringing matters to a crisis. So far, indeed, 
had she gone in her “ strange behavior " that 
the old salt was beginning to understand her mean- 
ing, and it filled him with a very well-defined alarm. 

On the day of Richard Merriam’s arrival in Gap 
Harbor — which, as will be remembered, was also the 
day he was persuaded that he ought to know some* 


164 


A LEGAL WRECK 


thing abaut a yacht, — Mrs. Dunks had struck terror 
to the heart of Cap’n Smith, and, inductively, into 
the bosom of Jonathan Mazey. 

They were enjoying their after-dinner pipes under 
some maple trees at the side of the house. The 
silence between them was the silence of peace and 
content. Although the Cap’n had remarked that 
there was a ‘‘ feelin' into the air as if somethin’ was 
a-brewin’,” it had not yet manifested itself to such a 
degree as to disturb him. 

All at once a voice, which proceeded apparently 
from an open door at the rear of the house, was 
lifted up in song. It was a rich voice, too rich 
indeed, and not only cracked in the middle register, 
but exceedingly broken in the regions above. 

It’s the widder,” said the Cap’n, very quietly, 
after listening awhile. 

“ It are, sir,” assented Mazey. 

‘‘ She are taken to singin’ of late.” 

An’ a-actin’ werry strange-like, as well.” 
well,” the Cap’n repeated. 

The singing was now growing louder in a manner 
plainly indicating the near approach of the warbler, 
and a silence fell between the two men like that be- 
tween katydids disturbed in their remarks by an 
intrusive stranger. 

Everythin’ is finished up, Cap’n, an’ snug an’ 
tidy,” with which remark the massive form of Mrs. 
Dunks rolled before them. 

We’re much obleeged to you, eh, Mazey?” said 
the Cap’n. 

‘‘Aye aye, sir,” gurgled the bass voice of the old 
mate. 

“ Would ye step this way an’ see for yourself, 
Cap’n?” in Mrs. Dunks’ most suave and seductive 
tones. 

“ It aren’t nowise necessary, Mrs. Dunks ; your 
word’s enough.” 

Upon hearing this indication of Cap’n Smith’s 
confidence, Mrs. Dunks became visibly affected. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


165 

She gave two or three hysterical snorts and went 
through the motions of brushing away tears. “ Ah, 
Cap’n!’’ she murmured, in a voice which she shook 
violently and with considerable effort to represent 
emotion ; Ah — it’s so kind of you — to say — that ! 
(sob) It quite affects me ! And she apparently tore 
some more tears from her eyes in a most desperate 
fashion, as if they had been bees stinging her, and 
then turned away to convey the impression that she 
wished to hide further evidences of her weakness. 
After looking at her in consternation a moment, 
Cap’n Smith rose and edged over near Mazey, who 
also stood up when the Cap’n did. 

^‘Wot has I said to ’er?'' he inquired in a hoarse 
undertone. 

‘‘ You said as her words was enough, sir,’’ reported 
Mazey, in a ghastly, hollow roar that could have been 
heard a quarter of a mile, but which represented his 
idea of a whisper. 

It seems to have stove ’er in,” said the Cap’n, 
glancing uneasily at Nancy’s heaving form. 

It do, sir.” 

Ah,” broke in Mrs. Dunks, turning herself and 
going toward them, ‘‘ you doesn’t know what 
kind words is to me as is lonesome and sorriful. 
Ever sense your poor dear wife was took to speres 
above. I’ve tried to do what I could for ye ; I know 
I can’t never take her place, but — ” 

‘‘No, you can't ! ” suddenly broke in the Cap’n. 

“ But what little I can do for ye — ” 

“You does it, an’ we’re greatly obleeged to you 
for the same, an’ any time as you wants anythin’ in 
the way of fish or clams over to your place — ” 

“Oh, Cap'nl" shouted Nancy, in a deeply injured 
tone, “ What is clams to the feelinks of a lonely 
widder ! ” 

The Cap’n was put out for an instant. An idea 
occurred to him, however. 

“ Any time as lobsters would go nigher the spot — ” 
“Ah, no,” said the widow sadly, shaking her head 


i66 


A LEGAL WRECK 


slowly from side to side, ain’t clams nor lobster 
as I wants/’ 

‘‘ Would a few crabs seem to — ” 

‘‘ No. It ain’t clams nor lobsters nor crabs! It’s 
feelinks, Cap’n, it’s feelinks / ” saying which she put 
her apron to her eyes and agitated her shoulders up 
and down. 

The Cap’n edged still closer to Mazey, 

Wat’s that as she wants?” he whispered. 

“Feelinks,” came back, in the same hollow, 
wheezy roar. 

“ What’s them?” demanded the Cap’n. 

“ Never heerd on ’em, sir,” replied Mazey. 

The Cap’n glanced uneasily at Nancy, and stood 
irresolute for a moment. Then he cleared his throat 
and advanced toward her. 

“ Mrs. Dunks ! ” 

Nancy looked at him with red eyes. (She had 
been rubbing them.) 

“ Whatever them things is,” he went on, “ what- 
ever they is, I’ll git ’em for you, if they’re to be 
ketched in these waters ! ” 

“Oh, Cap’n!” exclaimed Nancy, in an exultant 
tone, starting toward him with arms extended. 

The Cap’n retired precipitately toward Mazey, 
calling out, “ Marciful Jane ! She’s a-draggin’ ’er 
anchor! She’ll run foul of us!” 

Mrs. Dunks, however, seeing the consternation she 
had created, stopped short, and determined upon 
another plan of attack. 

“ Can I speak to you in the house, Cap’n, on a 
very particular niatter?” she asked pleasantly. 

“ Sartain you can,” said the Cap’n. 

Mrs. Dunks at once started toward the house. 
The Cap’n gave Mazey a look, and followed after 
Mrs. Dunks. Mazey picked up his stool and hob- 
bled along after the Cap’n, carrying his pipe in his 
disengaged hand. Mrs. Dunks marched in at the 
kitchen door. The Cap’n followed her, suspecting 
no evil. Mazey came to the door, and was about to 


A LEGAL WRECK I67 

enter when the widow suddenly appeared before 
him. 

It was the Cap*n I wanted to speak with, not 
you,’' she said with an engaging smile, and slammed 
the door in his face. He tried to open it, and it 
was bolted. With unruffled calmness he placed his 
stool on the ground, seated himself on it, put his 
pipe in his mouth, and holding it there with one 
hand while his elbow rested on his crossed knee, 
smoked peacefully. 

Disturbing sounds came from within, but Mazey 
sat undisturbed. He heard the dull thud of over- 
turned chairs, and sounds as of hurrying footsteps, 
but gave no sign. He heard the Cap’n shout in a 
voice of alarm, Sheer off ! Jam your helm hard a- 
port ! Sheer off!” Yet he smoked his pipe and 
serenely gazed at the bolted door. It was simply 
one of the squalls that a mariner regards as unavoid- 
able in the regions infested with women. Having 
done what he can in the way of shortening sail and 
making all snug, he awaits the result with grim, 
philosophical equanimity. 

The door before which Mazey had stationed him- 
self was suddenly unfastened, and Cap’n Smith 
emerged in a state of considerable excitement. His 
face was flushed. His collar and cravat were disar- 
ranged, and his thin hair showed a tendency to 
stand on end. 

She have been a-actin’ most singular ! ” said he, 
hurrying toward Mazey. 

“ Wot are she done, sir ? ” 

The Cap’n looked back at the door nervously. 
Then he took Mazey out through the front gate, 
and stopped by the side of the road. 

She were overcome by somethin’ an’ pitched up 
agin’ me head on,” he said excitedly. 

Couldn’t you git clear of ’er ? ” asked Mazey. 

I cleared ’er the fuss time, but she run foul o’ 
me while I was tackin’.” 

The two discussed the affair in low tones for 


i68 


A LEGAL WRECK 


some time. It seemed evident to both of them that 
something must be done. 

“ Mazey,” the Cap’n finally announced, with slow 
impressiveness, “ this here might suit them as is 
youngish an' spry, but it aren’t never a-goin’ to do 
for me. I were spliced onct, an’ atween you an’ me 
I are ontirely satisfied. It appears to me like as 
there’s on’y one thing for to do ; I must turn to an’ 
write her a letter. It are an exceedin’ onusual busi- 
ness for me, sir, an’ you’ll have to stan’ by.” 

Aye, aye, sir.” 

Mazey would have stood by had the Cap’n decided 
to blow the old woman up with a heavy charge of 
dynamite. 


The day following, which was Friday, found 
4. the Cap’n too much occupied, and too unset- 
tled in his mind to set about a task requiring 
such careful mental preparation and calm de- 
liberation as the writing of a letter ordering 
Mrs. Dunks to “ sheer off.” 

In the first place, Merriam came to the house and 
spoke of matters the Cap’n had never discussed with 
a living soul until that time; matters which lay very 
near to his heart — which he held, indeed, to be 
.sacred. If he had been told what was coming he 
might have declined to speak of these things, but 
the words were drawn from him before he had time 
to reflect, and while he yet wondered Merriam held 
in his hand the precious letter which Olive’s father 
had left. His incisive questions regarding her 
childhood, the unsparing strokes with which he laid 
bare the facts concerning her father’s death, the 
rude awak(?ining of anxieties that had been soothed 
into forgetful slumber, left the poor old sailor, when 
it was over, in a state of extreme agitation. His 
mind was so much disturbed, indeed, that the fact 
of Merriam’s questions having no possible connec- 


A LEGAL WRECK 


169 


tion with the violent attempt to take Olive from the 
train at Bergmont did not once occur to him. And 
as for composing himself sufficiently to write a let- 
ter, it was simply out of the question. 

Merriam hurried away, saying he would return in 
the afternoon. He hired the fastest rig he could 
find, with the man who owned it to drive, and in 
less than an hour was at the telegraph office in Will- 
iamsport. From there he went to the court-house. 

At half-past three he was driving rapidly out the 
shell road again. Alighting before the Cap’n’s gate, 
he dismissed the conveyance, after congratulating 
the proprietor upon the fact that the horse had not 
fallen to pieces during the trip — a catastrophe of 
which his appearance gave every indication. 

“ Cap’n,’' said he, coming upon the old salt pacing 
restlessly forward and back on the little veranda, ‘‘ I 
want to speak to your son.” 

The Cap'n stood still and stared at Merriam in 
astonishment. My son !— my son Ed’ard ! ” he 
finally managed to exclaim feebly. 

“Yes,” answered Merriam, “your son Edward. 
Have you any objections ? ” 

“None whatsomever, sir,” answered the Cap’n, 
“ but 1 aren’t entirely sartain as you’ll enj’y yourself.” 

“ Why not ? ” 

“Well, sir, I doesn’t like to say it, but — the boy 
are a little rough.” 

“ Rough? That’s just the — just the kind! like.” 

“Then you’ll be exceedin’ fond o’ him,” was the 
brief response. 

“Yes — he’ll answer all requirements — I saw that 
from a limited observation last night. I would 
never take him to be your son.” He looked at the 
Cap’n sharply. 

“ He are my son, sir, but he had a unfortinit 
raisin’. His mother died when he were born — ” 

“ I don’t wonder,” put in Merriam dryly. 

“ Not immediate, but a while after^” added the 
Cap’n. 


170 


A LEGAL WRECK 


“ About as soon as she could get away after tak- 
ing a good look at him,” suggested Merriam. 

An’ then he’s been to sea, an* was throw’d with 
bad company, an’ came to be rough an* wild. But 
for nigh to a year now he’s gave up drinkin* an* 
rowdyin*, an* I owns, sir, as I has great hopes for the 
boy.” 

** Will Miss Gray marry him ? ” 

The Cap’n staggered back and sat in a chair 
which was fortunately not far behind him. Finally 
he managed to say in a thick voice, ‘‘ Marciful 
Jane! I hopes not I ” 

Um.” Merriam drew the lids of his eyes down 
and regarded the Cap’n for an instant quizzically, 
“You hope not. They were never — engaged?"' 

“ N — not as I knows on ! ” 

“ You’d be likely to know it if they were, I sup- 

? >> 

“ She — she aren’t neve^ had any intention of doin’ 
it. I’m sartain o’ that.” 

“ She dislikes him, perhaps ? ” 

“Ye — yes, I think as she do.” 

“ Did she decorate your parlor?” 

“ She did that,^ sir, an’ it are a piece o’ work^” 
“Yes, I know. Were you here last night when 
Miss Gray and your son heard the report of my 
revolver ? ” 

“ No, I were down to the town to git news 
regardin’ the yacht. She asked me to go.” 

“ She asked you ? ” 

“ Yes sir.” 

“ She was anxious perhaps ? ” 

“ She were indeed, sir.” 

“ Did you leave Mr. Mazey here ? ” 

“ No, he were a-waitin’ for me at the widder’s.” 

“ They were alone then ? ” 

“ I suppose they was.” 

“ When you came back you found the gale had 
broken some glass in the window ? ” 

“ It broked a consid’able number o’ panes into it.” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


I71 

^^Did you ever know a gale strong enough to 
break window glass before?” 

“ Not a-shore, but when we're to sea an' a suddin' 
scud o' — '' 

‘‘ Not ashore ? ” 

No.” 

Thank you — that is all. Where is your son ? ” 

I cannot tell, sir, J aren't seed him to-day.” 

Is Miss Gray at home? ” 

‘‘ No sir, she walked out the road with Mr. Lev- 
erett, somewheres nigh to five bells in the arter- 
noon.” 

Out the road ? ” 

Yes sir.” 

Present my compliments when they return. I 
may drop in this evening.” Saying which Mr. 
Merriam turned and passed quickly through the 
gate, leaving the Cap'n in a state of the most utter 
bewilderment. 

Upon gaining the road he looked back, and hav- 
ing satisfied himself that he was not observed, lit a 
cigarette, turned to his right and proceeded rapidly 
out the shell road. 


Olive Gray walked by the side of Henry 
5. Leverett along the woodsy road that wound 
among rock-seamed hills, mounting higher 
and higher, now running close to the edge of 
the steep at the foot of which the ocean 
splashed and foamed, now turning inward again, 
where, when the weather was calm, the singing of 
birds and the chirping of insects were the only 
sounds to be heard. 

Along this road they walked that Friday after- 
noon, giving no thought to the wonderfully blue sky 
above them, swept clear of every feather of vapor 
by the gale of the previous evening; to the exqui- 
site tangle of roadside flowers and vines climbing 


172 


A LEGAL WRECK 


upon walls, getting into trees, twisting together and 
grasping each upon the other in an apparent wild 
endeavor to obtain a view of what passed in the 
road ; to the songs of the birds echoing in silvery 
trills through the deep wood; to the splash of the 
V'aves ; to the delicate fragrance of the sweet wild 
rose, that now and then passed like a timid shadow 
through the air. They knew nothing of these 
things and yet felt them alL 

Henry Leverett had taken a new hold and pulled 
himself up, as he expressed it. Had the opportu- 
nity presented itself the evening before, he would 
have fallen at Miss Gray’s feet and worshipped hen 
He would have taken her hand in his and let his 
heart run riot in an exuberance of tender caresses 
and endearing words. But he had thought the mat- 
ter over as calmly as possible. He had not yet 
received a reply from Edith Kimball. It would not 
be the thing to speak until her answer came — 
indeed he had said he would not in his letter to her, 
Therefore heXwould not. 

But if he did not speak, he could think. He 
could allow his eyes to rest upon the one so dear to 
him. He could be at her side — almost touching her. 
He could dream of the happiness it would be when 
he could tell her that he loved her — loved her — 
loved her ! 

Olive Gray, walking by his side, felt that she was 
with him for the last time. 

It was she who had suggested the walk to the 
cliffs. She had something to tell him. And when 
she had said it, he would go. He would pass out of 
her life. It would be like a dream. Perhaps he 
would be angry, and reproach her. Perhaps he 
would even despise her. He would never know why 
she had done it. That she could not tell. And he 
would leave her feeling only bitterness — contempt — • 
hatred. 

The thought of breaking her word with Ed Smith 
did not suggest itself to Olive. It had been given 


A LEGAL WRECK 


173 


under cruel, outrageous conditions — it had been 
forced from her, yet she had finally yielded, know- 
ing all the circumstances ; and upon it he had risked 
hisdife. He had kept his part of the agreements It 
was an agreement involving a human life. She 
would fulfill her part. 

They walked out the road together^ There was 
silence between them* They came to the dark 
woods, and still they had not spoken. It seemed 
entirely natural. They understood each other, and 
could have said nothing that would have expressed 
more. 

Leverett kept close beside her, his eyes upon her 
constantly. For some time her eyes were upon the 
ground. Now th^t she was with him she could not 
speak — she could not tell him. She would wait a 
little. 

They were walking under the arching branches of 
great trees. Suddenly Olive stopped and raised her 
eyes to his. He stood looking into them. He 
knew they said ‘‘ I love you,*' — said it as no words 
could. Before he thought he was holding both her 
hands in his. And then he remembered. 

Will you do something for me ? " she asked, her 
voice trembling slightly. 

“ Anything you ask,” he answered. 

She had intended to ask him to go — to leave Gap 
Harbor that night, but she could not then, and they 
stood there in silence an instant. 

The sound of heavy footsteps caused them to turn. 
Ed Smith was coming rapidly toward them from the 
direction of the village. 

When he saw them he stopped and waited in the 
road. After a time they walked on, he following 
not far behind. Leverett turned back and looked at 
him two or three times, showing plainly that he con- 
sidered it an intrusion. But Ed followed on, paying 
no heed to this. 

Soon Olive noticed a flush of indignation upon 
Leverett's face. An anxious fear came over her 


^74 


A LEGAL WRECK 


that there would be trouble. She blamed herself 
for having brought about this complication. 

‘‘ I think we had better go back/' she said, after 
they had proceeded some distance with Ed a little 
way behind them. 

Leverett saw, as her eyes were raised to his, that 
she was much disturbed. 

What does the fellow mean ? " he asked quickly, 
in a low voice. 

I don’t know, but — please don’t speak to him.* 

He is annoying you — I will not permit this!* 
And his eyes flashed a fiery look toward Ed’s big, 
hulking form, now so near that he might hear what 
they said. 

But I ask you not to,” pleaded Olive. Think,” 
she added, he saved your life.” 

Leverett looked at her beautiful, pleading face a 
moment. Then he took her hand and drawing her 
arm through his, turned and walked slowly down 
the road. 

Ed stood still as they came near, his small, restless 
eyes upon them both. As they passed Leverett 
could not restrain the open indignant glance which 
he shot at the man, receiving in return an ugly ven- 
omous scowl. 

At the instant their eyes met, Leverett felt the 
hand which was resting upon his arm give a little 
fluttering tremor, as Olive clung tightly to him, 
pressing his arm close against, her. Nothing can 
move a strong man more than this mute appeal for 
protection from one he loves. He placed his other 
hand quickly upon hers. 

Do you think I would let him touch you ? Do 
you think I would let any harm come to you ? ” he 
asked, in a low earnest voice. 

They had scarcely passed Ed Smith, and he saw 
Leverett’s motion, and heard his burning words. 
He stepped toward them and touched Olive on the 
shoulder. 

I want to speak to you,” he said, in a thick voicCc 


A LEGAL WRECK 


175 


There was but one thing to do. Olive turned 
to Leverett, whom the slightest spark would have 
started into flame, and said hurriedly, I want to 
see him alone, Mr. Leverett — please leave us a few 
moments.” He hesitalf^d. I — I won't be long. 
Please go I' 

I shall be within call if you want me.” Lev- 
erett gave Ed one more look, and turning away, 
walked down the road. He was completely mysti- 
fied — so much so indeed, that he did not notice a 
very perceptible rustling in the undergrowth at the 
side of the road as he passed. 

“ What do you wish ? ” asked Olive, in a low 
voice, as Leverett passed out of hearing. 

What do I wish ! ” repeated Ed, with ill-sup- 
pressed excitement. I wish to know what you 
mean to do. I wish to know whether you're going 
to put a stop to this thing! I trusted ye, an' risked 
my life on it — an' things have gone too far to go 
back ! I don't stop for anything now I ” 

You have no right to. force yourself iipon me — 
to ’persecute me — yet 1 ” Olive spoke with a rapid 
utterance. I have until to-morrow night — to-mor- 
row night — and that short time is my own ! Until 
then I ask you to leave me to myself.” 

Y ourself ! repeated Ed, with a meaning look 
down the road. 

Myself or — or what I please ! Shall I be plain ?” 
she asked with a cutting emphasis upon each word, 
for her indignation was rising fast. Until to-mor- 
row night do not speak to me — do not come near 
me — -do not — do not look at me I ” saying which she 
turned and walked away from him. 

He, surprised, stood where he was an instant ; 
then following with great strides, soon overtook her. 

Look a-here ! ” he said as he reached her side, 
‘‘ sence I can't speak to you. I’ll end it another 
way ! ” 

‘‘ What do you want me to do ? ” she asked, sud- 
denly stopping before him. 


1/6 


A LEGAL WRECK 


“ I want you to tell him — I want you to end it 
with him ! That’s what I want you to do. It’s my 
right to have it done, an’ if you don’t do it, I 
will ! ” 

‘‘ No ! no ! ” she returned in quick alarm. ‘‘ You 
must not speak to him ! I will tell him \ I will!*’ 
When ? ” 

“ As soon as — as I can. 

‘‘To-night then.” 

“ Yes — if — if — ” she stopped, and her eyes filled 
with tears. Turning to him with a piteous, appealing 
look, she said, “ I will try to tell him to-night, if you 
leave me to myself. That is very little to ask.” 

He stood looking at her awhile before answering. 

“ Til see you in the morning then.” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Alone ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ ril go to the high cliff. Be there by nine.” 

“ Yes.” 

If you don’t come, I’ll make it unpleasant for 
some one.” 

Olive left him and went down the shady road. 
Leverett was waiting for her, and the two walked 
back to the house together. But when they came 
to the gate, she had not told him. She had put it 
off until evening. It was unfortunate that she did 
this, for he was prevented from seeing her then as 
he had intended. 

Upon arriving at the place where he lodged, 
and where Merriam had also been accommodated, 
he found a telegram from his father, which had 
been sent by special messenger from Williamsport. 
The “Son” had never received a similar dispatch 
from the paternal side of the house. It was a noti- 
fication that his presence was required at once in 
Boston. An answer was necessary, and he decided 
to ride over to Williamsport himself, and telegraph. 
There was no advantage in leaving the next morn- 
ing for he would arrive in town late Saturday night, 


A LEGAL WRECK 


177 


long after business hours. He therefore answered 
that unless he heard to the contrary, he would be in 
the city Monday morning. This message was sent 
direct to his father, and he waited in Williamsport 
for a reply, should one be sent. As none had been 
received by ten o’clock, at which hour the office 
closed, he mounted the horse he had hired and re- 
turned to Gap Harbor. 


It was not long after Olive and Leverett 

6. parted at the Cap’n’s gate that Richard 
Merriam might have been seen going rapidly 
down the road toward the village. He was 
not seen, however, by Leverett, because he 
had passed down the road before him ; nor by Olive, 
for she had gone at once to her room and thrown 
herself, sobbing hysterically, upon the bed ; nor by 
Edward Smith, for he had taken a cut across a stony 
pasture to the water, whither he had brought a boat 
for the purpose of seeing whether anything of value 
could be picked up from the wreckage of the yacht. 

Merriam proceeded, immediately upon reaching 
the village, to engage his man to find another horse 
and take him to Williamsport, He did not stop for 
supper, and consequently arrived there an hour be- 
fore Leverett. He was busy all the evening, and 
found he would have to stay over night, as some 
seal or signature necessary could not be procured 
until morning. 

It was little before eight on Saturday morning 
when he sprang into the aged vehicle to which he 
had trusted life and limb so frequently during the 
past two days. 

‘‘ Get me there by 8:30 and I’ll give you a dollar 
extra,” said he, hurriedly. 

‘‘ I’d like tu accommodate you mighty well,” re- 
plied the driver, but the kerridge wouldn’t stand 
the strain, jumpin’ over the stuns.” 


178 


A LEGAL WRECK 


“ Would a five dollar bill make the — make the 
strain any less ? asked Merriam. 

“ I don't know but what it would,” answered the 
driver, and at the same time he gave the horse such 
a vigorous cut with the whip that it nearly resulted 
in Merriarn's abrupt disappearance over the back of 
the seat. 

They pounded and jolted along, the old rattling 
wagon yawing this side and that, the dust flying, 
and the horse covering himself with foam, perspira- 
tion and dirt. It was 8:36 when they astonished 
the mariners of Gap Harbor by tearing frantically 
down the street. 

Drive me out the shell road,” said Merriam. 

Twenty minutes later he pushed the money due, 
with the five dollars additional, into the driver’s 
agitated hand, jumped lightly from the wagon, and 
merely saying, “You needn’t wait,” disappeared 
into the wood. 


At nine o’clock Olive stood alone on the high 
7. cliff, waiting for a man utterly repulsive and 
loathsome to her, yet whom she had hired at 
the highest price she could give, to save a 
human life. She stood on a ledge of rock 
that jutted out over the dizzy height, and looked at 
the ocean far below playing about the great masses 
of broken stone at the foot of the precipice. One 
hand was upon the rocky wall at her back, the other 
shaded her eyes from the brilliant sunlight. Her 
face was very white this morning, for the poor girl 
had not slept. 

With such unhappiness as hers, how could she 
sleep? The thought of what was coming bore down 
upon her until it seemed as if it would crush out 
her very soul. And the sense of what she had lost 
— the happiness — the love — the life she must give 
up forever, was even a sharper agony. As she 


A LEGAL WRECK 


179 


looked far below her, and thought how easily she 
could end it all, how soon it would be over — an 
instant’s flight through the air, and then those 
jagged rocks, and after that the cool waves to wash 
away the stain, she was suddenly filled with an 
impulse to take the frightful leap into eternity. 
The more her mind dwelt on it, the stronger the 
feeling grew upon her. One push upon the rock 
behind her — that would be all. One push ! Why 
not give it? Her father had ended his life in the 
very ocean that was now peacefully lapping the 
rocks below her. What had she to live for more 
than he ? 

She gradually became so possessed by the thought 
that she grew unconscious of everything else. Noth- 
ing seemed real. A dream-like veil was drawn before 
her, dulling her senses, and making the steep-down 
depth to the rocks below seem a mere nothing. 
She no longer leaned away from it upon the rock 
behind, but stood on the narrow ledge without 
support. 

“ Have I kept ye waiting long?’’ 

It was Ed Smith’s voice that broke harshly upon 
the fearful thoughts which were whirling closer and 
closer about her as she stood fasbinated — powerless 
— almost carried away. 

For a moment she did not move or take her eyes 
from the depth below. Then she turned slowly, 
passing her hand over her eyes as if awakening. 

“No, I preferred to be here,” she said quietly. 
The thought passed through her mind that she 
would come to this place again, when she found life 
no longer bearable, and make her escape. 

“ He didn’t follow you, did he?” demanded the 
fellow, roughly. 

“ I think not.” 

“ Hm ! ” with a sneer. “ It’s a wonder he didn’t 
come ! ” 

“ He doesn’t know where I am.” 

She closed her eyes for an instant 


i8o 


A LEGAL WRECK 


I ’spose if he did, he’d be here ! ” 

I suppose so.” 

Well, he’d better not!” Ed looked about to 
see if there were any possibility of interruption. 
He threw upon the ground a rope he had brought 
up with him from the boat, for he had rowed round 
to the mouth of the ravine and climbed up the steep 
trail on that side. 

“ This is the first chance I’ve had to see ye 
sence that night.” He looked at Olive with greedy 
eyes as she stood in the sunlight, her beautiful dark 
hair touched by it into glowing life. 

Why did you wish me to meet you in this 
place?” asked the girl. 

Come here an’ I’ll tell you.” 

Olive left the ledge of rock, and approached him 
slowly, stopping a few feet away. The two stood 
an instant looking each at the other. 

“ Come here,” said he, in a coaxing tone, “ I want 
you.” 

“ I am here.” she answered, quietly. 

He stepped toward her and reaching quickly 
out, took hold of her hand. She tried to draw it 
away but he held it firmly, and she finally became 
quiet, her eyes turned away from him, her breath 
coming and going quickly in long-drawn painful 
gasps. 

‘‘ I only wanted to see you,” he whispered huskily; 
“ who has a better right ? ” and he attempted to put 
his arm around her waist. 

This was more than she could endure, and with a 
sudden effort she broke away from him, and stood 
flushed and panting at a little distance. 

“ Do not touch me ! ” she said with breathless in- 
tensity. ‘‘ Say whatever you have to say, but do 
not touch me!” 

‘‘Why, you ain’t afraid o’ me, are you? I ain’t 
a-goin’ to hurt you,” he rejoined soothingly, going 
toward her at the same time. “ Come now, I think 
it’s about time I got a kiss from you ! ” 


A LEGAL WRECK ^ l8l 

kiss!” repeated Olive with a gasp, stepping 
backward involuntarily as he advanced, ‘‘ I would 
as soon think of kissing a — ” 

But he was so near that she turned and darted 
away toward the edge of the cliff — the only direc- 
tion open to her. 

He called to her to stop. She sprang with a lithe 
bound to the narrow ledge she had stood upon while 
waiting for him, and followed it out over the abyss 
as4ar as she could go. 

“What are you trying to get away for? We'd 
ought to be pretty good friends. Come, come! You 
can’t get away like that ! ” and he started to climb 
out after her. 

“ Wait ! ” she said in a peculiar voice, and motioning 
him back ^ith her hand. 

He paused where he was. 

“ I intended to keep my word with you,” she went 
on, breathless with excitement, “ but I have this one 
day left that is my own ! I consented to meet you 
here so that there would not be trouble between you 
and — and him. I have met you, and now I wish to 
go!” 

“ Well you sha'n’t go,” replied ^Ed, “ until I get a 
kiss from you ! ” saying which he moved toward her. 

“ Stop ! ” she cried out — desperate — frantic. “ Do 
not dare t^ come near me ! ” 

“My dear, you’re too modest by half!” and he 
climbed upon the ledge. 

“ If you touch me — if you touch me I wiA jump 
over ! ” She was looking at him in a way that showed 
she was in desperate earnest. 

He stopped involuntarily for a moment — but it 
was only a moment. 

“ Oh, I guess you don’t mean that ! ” he said, 
jocosely. 

“ I do mean it ! ” 

“Well, we’ll see then.” 

He was about to advance again when he felt a 
light touch upon his shoulden Looking round with 


i 82 


A LEGAL WRECK 


a Start he saw standing behind him the spare form of 
Richard Merriam, Attorney-at-Law. 


It seems to me I wouldn’t drive the young 
8. lady off such a — off such a fearfully high place,” 
was Merriam’s quiet remark. He had a cigar- 
ette in his mouth, and the words came muffled 
through the smoke that was mingled with them. 

Is it any of your business ?” demanded Ed in a 
loud voice, and with a threatening motion toward 
the intruder. 

No,” answered Merriam, carelessly. I merely 
threw it out as a suggestion.” He waited a mo- 
ment and then said pleasantly, ‘‘ May I -see you a 
few moments?” 

See me ! ” growled young Smith, his brows shut- 
ting down into a malicious scowl. 

“ Yes,” replied the other, “ unless you prefer to 
have me meet your attorney.” 

* Ed jumped down from the ledge and walked 
around to the other side of Merriam, not knowing 
whether to resent his cool effrontery or not. 

“ Perhaps you wouldn’t mind leaving us for a little 
while. Miss Gray,” Merriam said in a business-like 
tone, turning to Olive. ‘‘ It’s quite a private affair 
or I would not ask you to go.” 

It is unnecessary to say that Olive was astonished. 
In the first place his coming had been a complete 
surprise to her. And then, since his first gentle re- 
monstrance against driving her off the height, he had 
spoken as if it would be the greatest favor to him if 
she could give up the society of Edward Smith for a 
short period. He seemed entirely in earnest too. 
It did not take her long, however, to decide that 
she would go, and leave the question of where the 
favor came in for future solution. She accordingly 
made her way along the shelf of rock, accepted 
Merriam ’s hand as she sprang lightly down, and 


A LEGAL WRECK 1 83 

With an anxious glance toward her persecutor, dis- 
appeared among the cedars and birches without 
saying a word. 

After she had gone, Merriam coolly seated himself 
on as comfortable a rock as he could find, and lighted 
a fresh cigarette. 

When conducting a business affair of any descrip- 
tion, nothing that this man did was without pur- 
pose. Every 'word, every action, no matter how 
trivial, was intended to produce an effect. He saw 
in an instant the direction in which to turn his fire, 
and with unerring aim dropped his shells and sent 
his small shot into the enemy's works, accurately 
measuring the result of every discharge. 

He lighted a fresh cigarette then, and sat puffing it 
in apparent abstraction. He was waiting for the 
other side to begin. 

Smith finally broke the silence : 

You're a lawyer, I heard," he said in a rough, 
bravado sort of tone. 

He would have preferred saying something more 
threatening, but a secret fear of anything connected 
with the law held him back. He did not know what 
this mysterious behavior on the part of Merriam 
might mean. It would be time enough to threaten 
or even half kill the fellow for his impertinence, when 
he discovered. 

A what ? " said Merriam, as if he had not caught 
the word. 

I say I heard you was a lawyer ! " repeated Ed 
in a loud voice, and showing considerable ill-temper 
in spite of himself. 

‘‘ It is true," answered Merriam, I'm practicing 
a little now and then." He stopped and blew the 
smoke in fanciful spurts about him. In fact," he 
finally resumed, I came down here on business ; 
but it seemed to develop into a — into a pleasure ex- 
cursion — sea baths, and all that." 

^‘Yes, it did sure!" said Ed in a voice of surly 
amusement. 


1 84 


A LEGAL WRECK 


‘‘Yes/’ went on Merriam absently, as if thinking 
of the adventure, “ it did sure — it did sure. I — I 
swallowed a great deal of salt water — a great deal. 
Do you know how much they took out ?” 

“ How would I know? ” demanded Smith, becom- 
ing more irritated. 

“You wouldn’t know of course,” admitted Mer- 
riam, “ but it must have been considerable. I don’t 
think this sea bathing is what it’s cracked up to be. 
Do you go in often ? ” 

“No!” 

“ No, I thought not. I don’t advise you to.” 
Here he meditated a moment, but soon added: 
“ There will be no charge for that advice. I shall 
give it away — freely — when I return to Boston.” 

“Say — look-ahere!” broke out Ed suddenly, 
going toward him, “ if you want to say anything to 
me, say it quick ! I don’t want to stay here ! ” 

“ I don’t either,” replied Merriam, in the same 
dry, monotonous tone. “ But business often com- 
pels us- to do disagreeable things.” He looked at 
Ed with a steady significant stare, which was re- 
turned by the other with the evidences of rising 
anger. 

“ What I shall say,” went on Merriam, looking 
straight into Ed’s eye, “ what I shall say will make 
you feel very unhappy. But that isn’t my affair ; I 
am acting for others.” Then he carefully knocked 
the ashes from the end of his cigarette, and crossed 
his leg. “ I am going to tell you a story,” he an- 
nounced, simply. 

Edward Smith strode directly to him, looked at 
him from head to foot with the utmost contempt, 
and turning, walked away as if to have nothing fur- 
ther to do with him. 

“ This story is about a young lady you know,” 
said Merriam, quietly. Smith stopped where he was. 
“ In fact, she left here only a moment ago,” added 
the lawyer. 

“ You’d better be a little careful what you’re say- 


A LEGAL WRECK 1 8 $ 

ing ! growled Ed, approaching the other threaten- 
ingly: 

I see that,*' answered Merriam, looking up at the 
powerful figure standing over him. 

If you’re talkin’ very free about her, you’ll get 
hurt ! ” 

“ I was only anxious on your account. If in 
your excitement you commit any rash or foolish act, 
you will get into the State’s prison.” 

“ What ! ” roared Ed, so angry that hfe choked up 
and stood fuming, unable to speak. 

Merriam eyed him carefully, and before he could 
recover his voice, had begun to talk with a rapid, in- 
cisive utterance. “ Some years ago — fifteen, more 
or less — a gentleman appeared in this neighborhood 
with a small child clinging to him. He acted 
strangely, was pale, distracted ; evidently not quite 
in his right mind. He wandered about, seeming 
anxious to avoid everybody. Finally, overcome 
with fatigue, he dropped exhausted near a house on 
the shell road.” 

Ed was now listening, a fact which Merriam care- 
fully noted. 

One Cap’n Edward Smith lived in said house ; 
said Smith found aforesaid rqan and child — took 
them in — braced them up in true marine style — but 
couldn’t induce the man to tell his name or where^ 
he came from. Man had something on his mind — • 
couldn’t rest — used to go out in fishing boats with 
men — left his child in aforesaid house. One day 
there was a storm. When the schooner came in the 
stranger was not on board — men said he was swept 
into the sea — fact was he drowned himself. And 
the little girl was left with Cap’n Smith.” Merriam 
paused and smoked quietly. 

‘‘Say! What are you telling me all this for?” 
suddenly demanded Ed. 

“ For your own protection. I wish to lead up to 
the point gently so that you will not place yourself 
in an undignified attitude before the Court.” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


1 86 

Well when you’ve led up to it gently^ just send 
and let me know ! ” With a sneer of contempt, he 
turned and walked rapidly away, positive that noth- 
ing would detain him again. 

“This girl’s mother is my client.” 

Edward Smith started as if he had been shot. 

“ I see that you heard me,” said Merriam dryly, 
“ Now I’ll tell you the other side of the story. The 
same number of years ago as previously stated, and 
for reasons which are ruled out of evidence, the mind 
of one Perrin Kimball became — hem — unsettled — or 
words to that effect. So much so, indeed, that he 
was sent to an institution. One night he escaped, 
broke into his own house, took one of his two little 
daughters, and disappeared. Owing to several un- 
fortunate complications, search was not begun until 
too late. When it was finally undertaken neither 
father nor daughter could be found. A few days 
ago the possibility of discovering traces of them in 
this neighborhood was suggested. The matter was 
placed in my hands. As to the father, J find he is 
not within the jurisdiction of the Court. As to the 
daughter, the old Cap’n gave her the name of the 
first ship he commanded, which was the Olivia 
Gray.” 

Merriam knocked more ashes from his cigarette, 
which he had puffed during pauses in his story, and 
leaning back against the rock behind him, looked 
dreamily into the deep blue sky. 

Suddenly Smith spoke up : “ Do you know what 
I think?” he asked, approaching Merriam again. 

“Your emotions must be conflicting,” answered 
the lawyer. 

“ I think it’s all gammon — GAMMON ! ” 

Merriam paid no attention to this expression of 
'opinion. Ed stood motionless a moment. 

“ Say,” he suddenly broke out, “ are you going to 
tell her this ? ” 

“ Tell who this ? ” 

“ The girl.” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


187 


Miss Gray ? 

Yes/' 

« No/' 

Oh ! with a sneer. 

Merriam rose and walked up to Ed with his eye 
steadily upon him. “ My friend/' said he, in quiet 
impressive tones, don’t imagine that you have any- 
thing whatever to do with my not informing Miss 
Gray of the facts in the case. I simply act upon the 
instructions of my client. I have taken the trouble 
to explain matters at considerable length, because 
you pulled me out of the water and I owe you 
something for it — although you did leave me half 
drowned on the rocks. If you don’t believe what 
.you heard you had better simply enter an exception 
and let us proceed with the case. We can argue the 
exception afterward.” 

“Argue nothing!” retorted Smith, turning upon 
him angrily. “Do you think I’d let you take her 
away ! Do you think — ” 

“ It would interfere with your plans perhaps ? ” 

“ Interfere ! ” he shouted in Merriam’s face, becom- 
ing more and more enraged. “ Interfere ! Nowjr^^^ 
listen 1 Now I’ll tell YOU something I ” 

Merriam quickly backed away and sank down 
in a sitting posture on the stone he had previously 
occupied. From his manner it appeared that he 
was becoming frightened. 


As he saw Merriam apparently cowed before 
9 . ^him, Ed followed him up, becoming furious 
with'- anger. It did not occur to him that he 
had been carefully nursed up to this point by 
the most judicious cushion-shots and carroms. 
“That girl an’ me is to be married 1 ” he hissed 
out between his teeth. “ It’s agreed between us — 
an’ it takes place to-night — do you hear, young man ! 
It takes place to-night ! To-night ! ” 


188 


A LEGAL WRECK 

“ No/* said Merriam, shaking his head, no, it 
doesn’t take place to-nightc** 

Ha ! ** shouted Ed, starting back in astonishment, 
where is the man as’ll prevent it — tell me that ! ** 
Certainly/* replied the lawyer with quiet mod- 
esty ; he’s here, sitting on this rock.** 

“ You ! You interfere with me ! ** 

I undertake to do so — to protect the interests of 
niy client.’* 

'‘Look here!** said Ed in an ominous tone, his 
face distorted with rage, " I won’t take no more 
from you 1 ” and he strode toward Merriam sav- 
agely. 

The young lawyer rose, threw away his cigarette 
and walked directly in front of the infuriated ruffiam 

“Yes you will,” said he with a rapid utterance 
and in a sharp crackling tone that shot directly into 
the brain of the other. “ I m just coming to busi- 
ness now. There’s some kind of a bargain or prom- 
ise between yourself and that young lady — 1 sus- 
pected it and you have now admitted it — ^nd we 
propose to learn what itis,*' shaking his forefinger in 
Ed’s face, “ before the thing goes any further! ” 

Smith was nearly taken off his feet by the sud- 
denness of this attack. While he was standing 
dumfounded Merriam sprang upon him again. 

“ We propose to learn what it is, but 1 have seen 
enough in one day to convince me that you are 
holding that young lady by some deviltry and 
against her will, and I have therefore appeared be- 
fore Judge McEllston of the Superior Court, and he 
has granted a temporary injunction restraining you 
from proceeding further in the matter until you have 
shown cause ; and I hereby, as deputy, serve you 
with a copy of same with affidavits attached thereto 
in legal form,” saying which he pushed a package of 
papers into the other’s hands. 

It was only an instant that Ed Smith stood hold- 
ing the injunction documents. Suddenly recovering 
his partially paralyzed senses he started and with a 


A LEGAL WRECK 1 89 

muttered curse tore the papers to fragments and 
flung them in Merriam's face. 

“ I thought you’d do that — here’s a duplicate,” 
said the lawyer, deftly pushing another package 
under the lappel of Ed’s coat, and stepping back a 
little. “ I’m only obliged to serve you with one,” 
he went on quickly ; ‘‘ this is a favor on my part, so 
that you can read it and see what the Court allows 
you to do.” 

“ Read it ! ” roared Smith, seizing the duplicate 
papers with the evident intention of treating them 
as he had the others. 

It’ll cost you five dollars to get another set,” 
Merriam shot the words from a little distance directly 
into Smith’s left ear. 

The big fellow paused, not so much because of 
the expense which had been suggested to him, as 
from astonishment at Merriam’s cool audacity. He 
had a vague feeling that some sort of a trap had 
been set, and he was caught in it ; and so tried, for 
an instant, to remember what he had said. 

“ That’s right — don’t be discouraged,” were the 
cheerful words that recalled him to the present ; 
“it’s only a temporary injunction; you can show 
cause day after to-morrow and get; it dissolved — that 
is, if you can show cause. Another thing you might 
try,” and the peculiar twitch of the mouth to one 
side manifested itself on Merriam’s face for an in- 
stant, “ go over at once and see if the Court will 
allow you to put up bonds and marry the girl. Your 
bonds would have to be pretty heavy though to 
cover any possible damage. I’ve finished,” having 
said which he seated himself on his favorite rock 
again. “ My advice would be,” he added in a lower 
tone, “ to abandon the case. There will be — ” at 
this point he struck a match upon the side of the 
rock, and held the blaze to a fresh cigarette, “ there 
will be no char^ for that.” 

“ Abandon the case ! ” yelled Smith, going toward 
him fiercely, “God damn your soul, do you think I’ll 


190 


A LEGAL WRECK 


— do you think I’ll — ” He was so furious that he 
stopped unable to find words sufficiently expressive. 
“ Go on,” said Merriam quietly, “ it’s your turn.^* 
You dare to jag at me like this ! You — ” 

1 haven’t jagged at you, I merely served you.’* 
“Well I’ll serve you! I’ll — ^111 make you 
sorry you ever came to this place,” fumed Smith, 
with oaths introduced before and after the remark; 
“ ril make you sorry you ever put your no^e in my 
business — yes, and your friend too ! He s tryin’ it, 
an’ the next time I see him he’ll have his hands full ! ’* 
Merriam rose and looked into Ed Smith’s fierce 
countenance, which was livid with rage. “ Now you 
interest me,” said he. “ If there’s anything I can 
do to prevent — ” 

“ Do ! ” roared Smith, trembling with anger ; 
“ Warn him that he’d better be careful ! I’ve stood 
considerable from him, cornin’ between me an’ her! 
It’s gone too fur now ! Warn him as he’s in danger^ 
Warn him ! ” 

“ Are you in earnest ? ” 

“ In earnest ! ” repeated the other in almost a 
scream, and stamping up and down before Merriam. 
For some reason or other he could not bring himsdf to 
do violence to the impertinent young attorney, and 
his anger found a temporary outlet in motion. “ In 
earnest ! Do I look like a man a. ain’t in earnest ! 
Do I — Here! look at this!” and he whipped 
aside the branch of a tree so that the trunk was ex« 
posed. “ Here’s her name an’ his cut in the bark o* 
this tree ! Mebbe you can understand what I mean ! 
/don’t cut with a fine little knife like his — ^this is 
my knife ! ” and he produced a huge bladed clasp 
knife and opened it* “ This is my knife ! It’s big 
an* clumsy, but it’ll do fur what I want ! ” saying 
which he drove it through the letters and left it 
quivering in the trunk of the tree. 

Merriam watched the proceeding with calm in- 
terest, and when Ed turned his bloodshot eyes upon 
him, spoke in a quiet and earnest voice ; 


A LEGAL WRECK 


I9I 

Mr. Smith,” said he, when I first saw you I 
felt, instinctively, that there was some commQn 
ground upon which we could meet as brothers. It 
is on that ground we are standing now. Henry 
Leverett must not interfere. On issue Fll join 
you with the plaintiff.” 

Smith was again struck with astonishment at 
Merriam's consummate assurance. The legal terms 
he employed had some effect as well, an effect which 
the lawyer understood, and reserved for special occa- 
sions. 

“ I have already taken some steps in the matter, 
which you, as a party in interest, should know. I 
have telegraphed to the firm of which he is a mem- 
ber, to recall him to the city immediately ; I have 
notified the family of the young lady he is engaged 
to marry of the state of affairs ; I shall see him 
personally and recall to his mind — ” 

Look a-here ! ” broke in Smith, coming close to 
Merriam and speaking through his clinched teeth. 
“ What are j^ou doing all this for ? W/ia^ are you — ” 
“ I will be frank with you,” replied Merriam, 
looking into his face ; I intend to marry the girl 
myself.” ( 

Before Ed Smith had time to recover from this 
last surprise, the sound of quick footsteps upon the 
dry, resounding earth, and the rustling of bushes 
near at hand caused both men to turn. They saw 
Henry Leverett making his way in their direction, 
and glancing about as if trying to find some one. 


Leverett stopped upon seeing Merriam and 
lOo Smith, for he thought he detected something 
peculiar about their attitude and appearance, 
‘‘ Hullo, Merriam!” he called out in a hearty 
voice. ‘‘ How the deuce did you find your 
way to this place ? ” 

Merriam did .not answer at once, for he saw a look 


192 


A LEGAL WRECK 


on Ed Smith’s face which caused him to keep his 
eye upon the fellow/ 

Now he's here I’ll settle this wdth him ! ” said 
Smith, starting toward Leverett. 

‘‘ Nothing of the kind ! ” rejoined Merriam in a 
low voice, quickly intercepting him. ‘^You'il only 
weaken the case ! ” 

“What's the matter?” asked Leverett, not com* 
prehending the mysterious conduct of the two men, 
and approaching them. 

“ Just wait there a moment, Leverett,” Merriam 
said, turning to him. 

“What does he want?” asked Leverett, deter- 
mined to get at the solution of the affair. 

“ As a particular favor to me will you keep quiet ?” 
retorted Merriam. 

Leverett good-naturedly turned away as if to com- 
ply with the request. 

“ Say, you ! ” shouted Ed over Merriam’s shoulder, 
“ I'll trouble you to tell me — ” 

At this point Merriam stopped him with a quick 
rejoinder which Leverett could not hear. But he 
had heard enough. Walking leisurely toward the 
two men, he took Merriam by the arm and gently 
but firmly swung him aside, so that he stood face 
to face with Edward Smith. 

“ Yes,” — he addressed him in a frank and easy 
manner, “ I’ll tell you anything you want to know, 
so far as I am able.” There was an instant’s pause, 
during which the two men looked at one another, 
and Merriam at them. “You were so good as to 
assist in getting us ashore the other night, and I am 
greatly obliged to you on that account ; but your 
conduct since then has been past my comprehension. 
If there is anything which will put an end to your 
mysterious behavior, — any question I can answer or 
any information I can give, for Heaven’s sake let me 
knowNwhat it is.” 

“ No! you needn’t answer any question!” replied 
Smith, his voice husky with excitement; his great 


A LEGAL WRECK 


193 


red fists doubled. ‘‘ You needn’t tell me anything 
Then with an oath he added; ‘V/7/ tell you some^ 
thing! 

‘‘ This is absurd,” came Merriam’s sharp, incisive 
voice, as he suddenly appeared between the two 
men. It’s laughable ! If you go on it will develop 
into a mere yelling match ! ” Then he took Leverett 
by the arm and led him away a few steps, Wait 
here a moment,” he said in a low tone, ‘‘ and I will 
get rid of him.’* 

“ But I don’t want to get rid of him,” replied Lev- 
erett, ‘‘ I want some explanation of this — ” 

Do you want him to spit it into your face and 
perhaps blacken your eye with it, or do you want 
me to give it to you quietly?” The men gazed at 
each other. Merriam perceived that he had made 
an impression. As soon as he felt confident of this 
he left Leverett and walked quickly back to where 
Smith was standing. 

Now’s my chance,” he said confidentially, leave 
me alone with him.” 

^‘No — I’ll have it out with him now!” growled 
Smith, who was in a fighting mood. 

‘‘If you do, it’ll take thirty days to get you out 
of jail,” was Merriam’s instant response. Seeing 
the fellow start a little he went on quickly, “ You 
are excited. This naturally unfits you for cool and 
logical discussion. It is my business to attend to — 
to attend to these little affairs. Our interests are 
one. Leave the matter in my hands.” 

“ Well, mind you tell him what I say then ! ” 

“ He shall know everything,” said Merriam assur- 
ingly, at the same time taking Ed by the arm and 
walking him gently away. 

“ Let him know — let him — show him that ! ” 
pointing suddenly to the knife he had driven into 
the trunk of the tree. 

• “ I will get in all the points,” replied Merriam 
with composure. “That is Exhibit D.” 

“An’ I’ll find her — she’s waiting not fur off — Fll 


194 


A LEGAL WRECK 


find her an* send her here. She’ll tell him once for 
all, an* that’ll end it/* ^ 

‘‘An excellent idea. We*ll get an immediate ] 
decision/* ' 

“If he don’t go then — ** the fellow’s livid face 
seemed to turn purple, “ if he don’t go tAen — 

I’ll mangle him so he won’t know which way he’s 
looking ! ” 

“Yes — there’s always that course to fall back 
upon.” 

“ An’ as fur you,” growled Smith, turning with ill- 
disguised contempt upon Merriam, “as Inr you — ” 

“ Oh, you don’t mind me, of course,” said Mer- 
riam with a most delightful smile. 

Smith looked at him for an instant in silent deri- 
sion. “ Well I should say not ! ” he finally ejacu- 
lated, and turning on his heel walked heavily 
away. 


As soon as Ed Smith had disappeared Mer- 

II. riam took out a cigarette, and seating him- 
self leisurely, struck a match and lighted it. 
His manner plainly indicated that he consid- 
ered a disagreeable piece of work at an end, 
and had dismissed it from his mind. 

Leverett had lighted a cigar and strolled along to 
the edge of the cliff, over which he glanced. As 
Merriam sat down he came leisurely toward him, 
and seated himself on a little rise of ground near by. 

The two men smoked for some time in silence. 
To all appearances Merriam was enjoying the wild 
scenery, and drinking in the delicious air. 

“ Pretty place around here,” Leverett finally re- 
marked. 

“ Yes.” Merriam looked up at the light, glistening 
foli^e above him. 

“ By the way, Merriam, you told me you came 
down here on another business affair besides mine.” 


A LEGAL WRECK I95 

Merriam blew a breath of smoke carefully into a 
cloud of^dancing insects, and then saidr 
Yes/^ 

“ How do you get on 
Pretty well, thanks/' 

You didn’t tell me what it was/' 

“ No/' He blew out a long puff of smoke. “ Con- 
fidential affair." 

Leverett nodded assent, and there was a brief 
silence. 

“ IVe got another case on hand that I can speak 
of," Merriam finally said in a nonchalant drawl. 
What is it } " 

That rough," nodding slightly in the direction 
Ed^Smith had taken. 

Young Smith ? " 

Dick nodded carelessly, and then knocked the 
ashes from the end of his cigarette. 

What are you trying to do with him ?" 

Restrain him." 

Leverett looked at him for a second as if puzzled. 
Then he seemed to comprehend. ^ Oh — I see," he 
said. ‘‘You did it well, too." He smoked medi- 
tatively a moment ; then went on : “ That fellow's 

conduct for the past few days has ^been unbearable! 
Dogging me about, muttering and cursing! Upon 
my soul, Merriam, he is the most — ** he paused, and 
seemed to regain his composure. •‘You were right, 
though, in preventing a scene. I don't see how you 
did it either. How is it you manage these things 
so nicely ? " 

“ It depends on the things." 

“Oh, does it?" 

“Yes. With that chap I linger. With others I 
might come to the point at once." 

“ I see," said Leverett, amused. “ In my case 
what would you do ?" 

“ If I were advising you I would speak out in- 
stantly ; I would simply say, ‘You mustn't marry 
Miss Gray.' " 


196 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Leverett, who happened just then to be looking 
off toward the sea, turned sharply round and stared 
at Merriam. Seeing that he was apparently in 
earnest, he walked over and stopped before him. 
Upon my word you surprise me,'’ he began. 
How so ? ” Merriam asked, looking up innocently. 
By what you said. I thought at first you were 
joking." ^ 

I’m not in the habit of speaking facetiously." 

“ Then you meant it ? " 

'' I did." 

‘‘Would you mind saying it over again?" 

“You mustn’t marry Miss Gray." 

Leverett stood a moment motionless, his eyes 
upon Merriam. 

“ I suppose I may consider this in the nature of 
advice," he at length remarked. 

Merriam nodded assent, and added aloud, “ There 
will be no charge." 

Leverett laughed. He would have laughed be- 
fore were not the matter under discussion so near 
his heart. From Merriam’s last remark he con- 
cluded that the lawyer was not serious. Therefore 
he laughed a little, and then said : “ That’s fortunate ; 
I supposed of course you’d hand me a bill with it ! ’’ 

“ The service in this case is too great for a money 
equivalent." 

“ Oh come, that’s a pretty large statement," Lev- 
erett replied, laughing a little still, although he did 
not exactly relish the tone of the lawyer’s remarks. 

“You’ll see it in a different light when I get you 
out of this scrape." 

“ Scrape ! See here, Merriam," Leverett retorted 
good naturedly, “ we’ve talked enough about this." 

“ No we haven’t," Merriam answered incisively, ris- 
ing and throwing away his cigarette — a habit of his 
when he wished to convey the impression that seri- 
ous work was about to begin. “ O yes," he went on, 
seeing Leverett’s glance of honest displeasure, “ it’s 
quite likely I shall offend you ; I dare say you’ll 


A LEGAL WRECK 


197 


cut my acquaintance confound it, I wouldn't be 
surprised if you assaulted me ! " 

At this Leverett could not refrain from smiling. 
The idea of matching his superb physical strength 
against the slight build of the man before him struck 
him as humorous. 

What are you going to do ? " he inquired. 

I am going to present an argument that is unan- 
swerable. When you have heard it, Leverett, you 
will be left without a leg to stand on ! " 

In that case there won’t be much danger of my 
assaulting you," Leverett replied smiling again, his 
even, firmly set teeth glistening under his light mus- 
tache. “ What are you going to argue about?" 

‘^Your conduct. I am going to show you that 
you are forgetting yourself — your honor — your duty 
— even your safety, by thinking of an alliance with 
Miss Gray ! " 

Merriam ! " began Leverett, suddenly in earnest, 
‘‘you must not — " 

“ Stop ! " interrupted the lawyer. I only ask 
you to listen to reason ! If you are too far gone for 
that I will throw up the case ! " 

“Goon, ril listen." ^ 

“ First consider your position," continued Mer- 
fiam, speaking rapidly. “ You are engaged to a 
young lady in town — " 

“ That is not your affair ! " interrupted Leverett 
with some warmth. 

“ No," responded the lawyer instantly, “ Tm glad 
to say it isn’t. It’s your affair, and a devilish mess 
you’re making of it ! " 

“ Look here, Merriam — " 

“ I will not look there, or anywhere else. I am 
going to show you the various incongruities of your 
position if you kill me for it. There are so many 
elements to be grasped at once that I will furnish 
you with a bill of particulars and call your atten- 
tion to them under the head of Exhibits. Here 
is the young lady in town, to whom you are engaged 


198 


A LEGAL WRECK 


— she is Exhibit A. Next is the young lady in this 
place, wliom we will class as Exhibit B, Pause for a 
moment and ask yourself what you know of Exhibit 

B, From whence may she have come? From 
whom may she be descended ? What may her 
ancestors — 

Ancestors, man ! broke in Leverett, unable to 
restrain himself longer. Ancestors ! I don’t care 
who or what they were ! If they were murderers — 
thieves — assassins, I would only thank them for giv- 
ing me her! I love this girl, Merriam — I love her 
— I love her I Don’t talk to me ! ” and he turned 
away. 

I certainly will talk to you, for your life is in 
danger!” Leverett looked round at him. ‘‘This 
girl. Exhibit B, is engaged to be married to Exhibit 

C, — young Smith, the rough I am trying to restrain.” 

“ What do you mean ? ” 

“ I mean precisely what I say. There is an en- 
gagement between the parties named. You come 
in and take liis place and then wonder that he is 
frenzied with rage. The fellow will stop at nothing. 
Do you see this knife?” he asked, walking rapidly 
to the tree and pointing it out. “ That is Exhibit 

D, It was driven there by Exhibit C, and it is a 
warning you will do well to heed ! ” 

“ I will take care of myself, Merriam,” replied 
Leverett. 

“ If you are going on with the affair, I beg you to 
take this,” Merriam said, pulling from his hip pocket 
a very rusty revolver. “ It is illegal, but there are 
some occasions that require it, and this is one.” 

“No, no,” said Leverett, “I don’t want the 
thing.” 

“ Perfectly harmless — fired them all off when the 
yacht went to pieces.” Merriam snapped the ham- 
mer as he spoke, to show that none of the cham- 
bers were loaded. “ Nothing but salt in it. T .j 
mere appearance of a revolver will sometim-^- sa. 
trouble.” Leverett shook his ^ head, deciirdr^\ ‘.j 


A LEGAL WRECK 


199 


accept the weapon. ‘‘ Very well/* Merriam went on 
in a tone indicating that he considered^ his friend’s 
case as well-nigh hopeless, IVe done what I could. 
That might protect you against the ugly ruffian — • 
what you can say to Mrs. Perrin Kimball I do not 
know. She will be here this afternoon.” 

‘‘What do you m^an?” Leverett asked in sud- 
den surprise ; “ Mrs. Kimball is not coming to Gap 
Harbor ! ” 

“ She certainly is.” 

What brings her here ? ’* 

“ I bring her here. She comes in response to a 
telegram.” 

“ Merriam,” said Leverett facing the lawyer and 
now beginning to be really angry, “ do you mean to 
tell me you have taken it upon yourself to interfere 
in my affairs like this ?” 

“ No,” answered Merriam, meeting him with equal 
force, “ I am merely taking care of my own affairs ! ” 
“Your — ” Leverett stopped. 

“ Yes, my There are three parties in interest in 
this case. You are anly one. Please bear in mind 
that you are only one ! ” 

“ Who are the rest ? ” 

“ This tough young Smith is another.” 

“That makes two. Who is the third?” 

“The third Exhibit F'' 

“ Where is Exhibit F to be found ? ” 

“ Right here,” answered Merriam, touching his 
breast. 

“You!” returned Leverett. The young lawyer 
nodded affirmatively. “ Nonsense 1 ” 

“ See here ! ” returned Merriam with apparent 
indignation, “ what do you mean by nonsense ? ” 

“1 mean that this is a farce! ” 

“ If it is a farce, Leverett, you are making it 
one ! ” 

“ I don’t want to talk with you, Merriam ! ” 

“ You needn’t ! I have finished. You have been 
shown every reason under heaven why you should 


200 


A LEGAL WRECK 


not go on — go on with this thing! You have been 
warned as to the danger of violence from young 
Smithc Simply because I am friendly with you and 
am the adviser of your firm, I have gone so far as to 
let you understand my own personal interest in the 
affair, and because I am interested and frankly tell 
you so, you shout nonsense and calf it a farce ! '' 

“ Good heavens, Merriam, if you’re really in earnest 
ril take it back ! ” 

You may do as you please about taking it back I 
As to my being in — being in earnest, you will eventu- 
ally discover that I am. I have never had a — a case 
like this before, and I shall use every means at my 
command to win it. In view of my attitude in this 
matter, it is only proper that I should withdraw 
from my connection with your firm, and I have so 
notified the senior member. That is all I have to 
say ! ” 

As Merriam uttered the last words, he turned, 
and following the path that led along the cliff, walked 
rapidly away. Leverett called out to him to wait, 
but he paid no attention to the request, and was 
soon out of sight. 


It is not strange that Merriam’s unusual con- 
12. duct left Leverett in a state of considerable 
mystification. He had never, in his brief 
business interviews with the man, known him 
to display so much feeling. Even when they 
were in the most imminent peril of their lives from 
the wreck of the yacht, Merriam’s few utterances 
were in his usual dry monotone, without a particle 
of apparent excitement. In fact, during the whole 
time until he lost consciousness, he had held the 
stump of a half-burned cigarette in his mouth and 
displayed the utmost coolness. 

Yet, in the interview just ended, he had nearly 
lost his temper. At one time he seemed to be in- 


A LEGAL WRECK 201 

dulging in grim humor — at another he was evidently 
in dead earnest. 

But Leverett did not puzzle himself long over the 
mystery. He had come to the cliff in search of the 
one he loved so passionately, and after a few mo- 
ments of vague wonder as he stood looking in the 
direction Merriam had gone, he turned away, think- 
ing only of Olive Gray, and that he could at last tell 
her how dear she was to him — how precious beyond 
anything else in the world. 

As he turned he saw her standing as if she had 
just come up the steep trail that led to the ravine 
on the other side, and with an involuntary exclama- 
tion of gladness hastened to meet her. She had 
nearly reached the top of the path, and Leverett 
extended his hand. She took it, and with a light 
bound was by his side. 

Olive ! '' said he, as their eyes met. By that one 
word she knew what he would say if she did not- stop 
him. 

“ I was sent to tell you something- — ’’ she began 
hurriedly. 

And I was sent to tell you something,” he an- 
swered, close to her, holding her hand tight, as if he 
would never let it go again. 

She turned away a little, and with her disengaged 
hand played with the leaves of an overhanging 
bough, for it seemed as if she could not look in his 
face and say the cruel words. 

“ But I — I must tell you this first,” she went on, 
her head down a little, as she twisted the little buds 
in her fingers. 

No,” he interrupted quickly, again very near 
her, so that she felt his breath warm upon her white 
neck. ‘‘No — my darling — my darling — I must 
tell you this first, because I have been waiting so 
long—” 

“ Oh no ! ” she broke in. 

“ Yes — yes ! ” be r turned, and she was helpless be- 
fore the great flood of the tenderness that came with 


202 


A LEGAL WRECK 


his words. She could not stop him. She tried to 
move, but his arm was around her, holding her 
close — close. It’s only that I love you — I love 
you, Olive — I love you, my darling — you knew that 
before, didn’t you ? but I could not say it because 
this letter had not come. See — see dear, this re- 
leases me from an engagement made long ago<. 
When I met you I knew this must end, but until it 
was ended I could not tell you how dear— how dear 
— how precious — how sweet you were to me. Olive 
— I cannot tell you now. It is more than love — 
it is more, Olive ! ” 

But she gently unclasped his arm from her waist, 
and turning faced him. 

It is not yet too late,” she said in a trembling 
voice. 

Too late!” he exclaimed, looking her in the 
face. He held her hand still, and tried to draw her 
to him, but she looked at him piteously, and he 
waited. 

‘'No — write quicldy — tell her — tell her you were 
mistaken — that you did not mean it — that it was 
only to see how true she was — do this for me.” 

“ Olive ! ” Leverett could not say more for a mo- 
ment, but stood looking at her. “ Olive — I thought 
you—” 

“Yes — I thought so once,” she returned hurriedly; 
“ but now I want you to go— quickly — and forget 
that such a person as Olive Gray is living or ever 
lived.” 

“ Why I could not ! ” 

“Yet you must” she went on almost in a whis- 
per. “ Why ? Because I ask it of you — because I 
tell you there is no help for it. I think you do care 
for me — and — and I thank you.” 

“ Care for you ! ” Leverett exclaimed passionately, 
drawing her into his arms. “No power on earth 
could make me give you up — no power on earth, 
Olive I Listen, dear ! I love you. How could I 
let you go ? There is no reason — ” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


203 


Yes — there is a reason ! You will make trouble 
for both of us if you do not go ! ” She spoke this 
very fast, her iace close to his. 

I thought you cared for me!'' He was looking 
down into her eyes. 

“ I do 1 I do 1 " she whispered, and in those breath- 
less words her whole soul went out to him. She 
could not help it. 

He held her closer. 

‘‘ Then what have I done, Olive — what have I 
done, my darling, that you want me to go ?" 

^‘You! You have nothing! It is something 

I have done — it is something — " She stopped. 
Her quick ear caught the sound of footsteps. 

Listen ! He is coming ! " she whispered hur- 
riedly, hardly knowing what she said. Oh do let me 
go ! Do let me go Mr. Leverett — he will see you ! " 
And before he could prevent her she had struggled 
away from him. 

‘‘He!" repeated Leverett. “Whom do you 
mean ? " 

Olive did not speak. Her eyes were apparently 
upon Leverett, but in reality she was looking at 
something beyond. ‘ 

“ Olive," he went on going toward her, “ there 
is some mystery about this. I must know what it 
is — who it iSy that comes between us ! " 

“ Mebbe I can tell you that ! " said a thick voice 
behind him. He turned and found himself face to 
face with Edward Smith. 


From his face it might have been supposed 
13 . that Ed Smith was intoxicated. His eyes 
were swelled out and bloodshot. His under 
lip quivered. His hand shook too, and he 
seemed hardly able to control himself. He 
had not been drinking, however. He was simply 
overcome with anger — frenzied with jealousy. 


204 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Olive saw, as he approached them, that the man 
was so infuriated he would stop at nothing. 

While Leverett was saying the last few words to 
her, she was trying to think of some way to prevent 
an encounter between the two men. It seemed 
hardly possible, yet she felt that it must be done. 
The result of a conflict between them would be 
some dreadful injury to one or both. She knew 
that Ed was much larger and heavier than Leverett, 
and besides that he would resort to any means to 
overcome his enemy. 

All this flashed through her mind in an instant, 
yet now that the two stood facing each other, 
one evidently beyond the reach of anything she 
could say, the other, as she had ample reason to 
know, quick and eager to strike in her defense, she 
could think of nothing that would be of any avail. 

Smith was very near Leverett — so near, indeed, 
that Olive had a momentary dread that the latter, 
who was standing in an easy, unguarded attitude, 
would not be quick enough to defend himself should 
the other strike. Her alarm, however, on this point 
was unnecessary. 

Leverett looked steadily in Ed’s face, apparently 
waiting for the explanation which he had volun- 
teered to give. He realized, however, that the man 
was in a very ugly temper, and was perfectly ready 
to meet any attack that might be made upon him. 
But unfortunately he was unprepared for Smith’s 
first demonstration, simply because he had no con- 
ception that the ruffian would resort to such a cow- 
ardly and outrageous thing. 

‘'I said mebbe / could tell you that ! ” repeated 
Smith, at the same time going closer and edging 
round him a little, so that Leverett was no longer 
directly between Olive and himself. 

I understood you,” answered Leverett, ** and I 
am waiting to hear what you have to say.” At the 
same time he took a step backward to maintain 
the proper striking distance, and avoid the possi- 


A LEGAL WRECK 


205 


biHty of being suddenly laid hold of and dragged 
into a wrestling match with a man heavy in weight 
and doggedly determined in nature. 

“You're backing down, eh! You're backing 
down ! " growled Ed stepping close to Leverett, 
and observing that he again stepped backward. 
“And you want to know what I have to say! You 
want to know it ! Well it's this ! " And before 
Leverett had time to realize what he was . going 
to do, he turned to Olive and seizing her roughly 
by the arm, flung her around behind him with such 
force that she was thrown violently against one of 
the rocks on that side and partly fell, clinging to it. 

Leverett's first impulse as he saw Olive falling 
was to assist her, and he sprang forward hoping to 
catch her before she struck the ground. But Smith 
turned q^uickly and sprang in front of him. 

“You! You would TOUCH her!" he hissed in 
Leverett's face. 

“You cowardly brute," retorted Leverett between 
his teeth, “ to throw a helpless girl to the ground 
like that ! " 

“Will you stop me!" shouted Smith savagely. 
“ Are you a coward as well as me, that you stand by 
an' see it done ? " < 

“ No ! Not such a coward as that ! " 

In an instant the men would have been struggling 
with one another had not Olive, scrambling to her 
feet, hastened toward them, begging them to stop. 
As she drew near Leverett saw that her sleeve was 
torn near the shoulder, and upon her soft white arm 
he caught sight of the marks of Ed’s fingers where 
they had seized her. From that moment it was only 
a question of time. Olive might delay the conflict 
a little, but for each of those cruel bruises on that 
delicate skin Leverett was determined to make the 
ruffian pay in full. 

“ Please — oh, please do not quarrel ! " implored 
the girt, and her voice was so full of pathetic plead- 
ing that it would have made wild animals pause* 


2o6 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Mr. Leverett, you will do this for me — it is the last 
favor I shall ask you. See! I am going. He will 
not treat me so again ! ’’ And Olive turned as if she 
would leave the place. 

Won't he !” yelled Smith, now thoroughly con- 
vinced that Leverett was afraid of him. We’ll see 
whether he won’t ! ” He turned quickly and caught 
hold of Olive again. We’ll see if Mr. ” 

He did not finish the sentence. He could not 
finish it, for at that moment he was gripped by the 
collar of his coat, jerked backward about fifteen feet, 
swung round and shot head foremost against the 
trunk of the tree which bore the carved initials of 
Olive Gray and Henry Leverett. It seemed mar- 
velous that so great a hulk could be moved with 
such rapidity from place to place. But Smith had 
not been gently urged. The motion backward was 
so sudden that it came near dislocating his neck. 
The motion forward was very much as if he had 
been shot from a catapult. He struck the tree with 
a force that sent a tremor through every branch, to. 
the very tips of the furthest twigs. 

He managed to cling to the trunk, and thereby 
saved himself from falling. As soon as he had re- 
gained his equilibrium, he turned and saw Lev- 
erett standing by the side of Olive, and heard her 
speaking rapidly to him in an undertone. He had 
been angry before, but he was now delirious with 
rage. His. bad blood seemed to be at the boiling 
point. He glanced about feverishly to find a stone 
or some weapon with which to attack the man who 
had handled him so roughly, and as he looked 
hither and thither his eyes fell upon the knife which 
he had left sticking in the tree. With a fearful oath 
he wrenched it loose and faced Leverett again, 
muttering threats and imprecations. 

No sooner had he got the knife in his hand than 
Olive, darting past Leverett, was directly before 
him. She spoke in a low voice, but with fierce 
intensity. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


207 


Coward ! Serpent ! To attack ’a defenseless 
man with a knife! If you hurt him they will hang 
you for it — they will hang you — they will hang 
you / '' 

Ed turned his evil glance upon her. Then tell 
him ! ” he said in an undertone. Tell him now^ 
an' he can go r' 

The poor girl stepped back a little, repeating the 
words, “ Tell him ! " mechanically. 

‘‘Yes," replied Ed, in a louder voice, “tell him 
now — quick — or it’ll be worse fur us all ! ’’ 

Olive looked about her helplessly. 

“You know what I want!" continued Smith. 
“You know well enough! I want it {rom. you that 
I have the right to keep him out o’ here ! ’’ 

Leverett was standing ready to spring upon the 
fellow should he attempt further violence to Olive. 
That he held a knife in his hand would have made 
no difference to him. Hearing what was said, and 
seeing that Olive was troubled and seemed in doubt 
what to do, he stepped to her side and said gently, 
“ Miss Gray, if there is anything you can tell me that 
will silence this brute, or make it easier for you, do 
not hesitate." 

Olive looked up at him. HeY beautiful eyes 
seemed to be resting for one moment on his face 
before she should say the words that would .send 
him away from her forever. 

“ Yes, there is something," she replied in a voice 
scarcely audible. Leverett bent nearer so that he 
could catch what she said. “ I thought perhaps — 
perhaps I need not say it to you, — that you would 
go — without that." She stopped and stood still ; 
then suddenly bent forward covering her face with 
her hands. 

Leverett looked at her, and then at Smith. He 
breathed hard. There was something he did not 
understand. ^ 

“ Go on," said Ed, in a lov/ voice, 

Olive looked up and spoke at once : 


208 


A LEGAL WRECK 


This evening I — I shall be his wife/’ 

After saying this she kept her eyes upon the 
ground, not daring to meet the look she felt sure 
Leverett would give her. None of the three moved 
for a few seconds. Then Olive turned and walked 
slowly away, leaving the two men alone togethen 
Smith shut up his knife with a loud snap, and slid 
it into his pocket. 


Olive did not look behind her. Leverett’s 

14. eyes might be following as she moved away 
among the trees. She went slowly u.itil she 
thought she was out of sight ; then suddenly 
hurried forward with all possible haste, hop- 
ing to overtake Mr. Merriam. 

She followed along the cliff in the direction he 
had taken, glancing about wherever there was a pos- 
sibility that he might have branched off. He was 
nowhere to be seen. As she was hastening down a 
steep decline, where the path suddenly rounded a 
great spur of rock, she unexpectedly ran directly 
into his arms. 

He released her as soon as possible, threw away the 
cigarette he was smoking, and raising his hat with 
the utmost politeness, begged her pardon. 

Mr. Merriam — I was looking for you ! ’’ she said 
breathlessly. 

“You failed to look in the right direction at that 
moment. I hope I can be of some service,” he added. 

“ Indeed you can — mdeed you can ! Your friend 
Mr. Leverett — ” 

“ My friend — ” 

“ Yes — he is there with Ed Smith — I left them 
together, and he has a knife ! ” 

“ Which of them ? ” was Merriam’s instant ques- 
tion. 

“ Ed Smith — I am afraid they will — ” 

“Excuse me, but I’d better go,” interrupted the 


A LEGAL WRECK 20g 

lawyer, starting away. At that instant he caught 
sight of Olive’s torn dress, and stepped. 

‘‘ How did that happen ? ’’ he asked, in a breath. 
Oh, hurry — it’s nothing ! ’’ 

‘ You delay by not telling me ! ” 

It was Ed Smith ! ” 

‘‘ Did he take hold of you there ? ” pointing to the 
discolorations on her white skin. 

Olive nodded quickly, at the same time motioning 
him to go. 

‘‘ I will make that scoundrel bitterly regret the fact 
that he and I were born in the same hemisphere I 
were the words that shot sharply from between his 
teeth as he hurried away. 

Olive watched him until he disappeared, and then 
sank down upon the soft moss at the side of the 
path. 


Neither of the two men on the high cliff spoke 

15. for some little time after Olive left them. 
Smith waited, supposing Leverett would leave 
now that he had been informed of the ap- 
proaching marriage, and appreciated as well 
the danger he incurred by remaining in the neigh- 
borhood. Leverett waited until Miss Gray should 
be well out of sight and hearing, so that she need 
not be troubled by anything that might take place. 

Smith finally spoke : 

^‘You heard what she said!” he broke out in a 
loud voice, as if he would end the matter with 
bravado and bluster. 

“Yes, I heard it,” answered Leverett quietly, 
keeping his eye steadily upon the fellow. 

“ Well, that’s all I want of you ; you can go 
now.” 

“ Can I ? ” 

“ Yes, you can ! ” retorted Smith, growing louder- 
mouthed. “You can get out, and what’s more you 


210 


A LEGAL WRECK 


needn't show yourself around here again ! And he 
turned as if to go. 

‘‘ Wait ! ” said Leverett sharply, and with a quick 
glance around to satisfy himself that Olive was not 
in sight. 

^ On the very instant that he spoke Smith wheeled 
round and confronted him. 

What’ll you have, eh 1 ” he asked in a bullying 
tone. 

I will have an explanation of this outrage ! ” 

You heard her ! ” 

I did. And it is because I heard her that I will 
now hear YOU.” 

'' I doji’t know whether you will or not ! ” roared 
Smith, coming close to Leverett in a threatening 
manner. 

“ Then let me tell you, sir, that I WILL ! If I 
don’t get it from you one way, I will another ! ” 

What ! ” yelled Ed, and he caught Leverett by 
the throat. 

‘‘Take your hands off!” said Leverett in that 
ominous undertone that means immediate action, 
and at the same time tearing Ed’s hands from their 
hold, he flung them off with such sudden violence 
that the fellow was thrown back several feet. Fol- 
lowing him up so close that the two men moved 
together, Leverett spoke in his face with vehement 
rapidity. 

“ There is some damnable trick — some villainy — 
by which you hold that young lady in your power! 
You dared to lay your cowardly hands upon her in 
my presence — to throw her down — to leave the 
marks of your fingers on her arm — and now, before 
God you shall answer to me for it ! ” 

Ed aimed a blow at Leverett’s head. His arm 
was struck aside, and at the same instant a resound- 
ing thud echoed through the trees. Leverett had 
dealt the big fellow a tremendous right-hander 
straight from the shoulder. 

But unfortunately he did not have another oppor- 


'A LEGAL WRECK 


2X1 


tunity to punish him in this way, for Smith managed 
to catch his arm, and in a moment had thrown him- 
self upon him, and the two men were locked together 
in a desperate struggle. 

For more than a minute they were almost motion- 
less,' their strength equally matched in the fierce 
strain. Smith was nearly sixty pounds* heavier than 
Leverett, and his muscular power fully as great. 
But Leverett was a trained athlete, and had the 
quickness of a leopard. This, together with his 
thorough knowledge of effective grips and feints, 
more than made up for the other’s advantage in 
weight. 

As they were straining, nearly motionless, in the 
hold taken upon each other by accident, Leverett 
was watching for a chance to make a sudden shift. 
Smith had only^ in mind the overpowering — the 
crushing to earth of his antagonist, and exerted his 
utmost strength in the effort. It was a wild contor- 
tion, the fearful and desperate struggle of a mad- 
man, for the stunning blow he had received deprived 
him of all reason and made of him only a savage 
beast. He had Leverett’s arm across his shoulder, 
and was crushing it down in such a way that it 
seemed as if the elbow joint must be broken back- 
ward. As he strained to do this, while he held 
Leverett tight around the neck with his right arm,* 
and was ^it the same time forcing him back across 
his knee, he felt him suddenly give way, and a 
triumphant growl of satisfaction escaped him as 
he pitched forward expecting to fall upon an easy 
victim. 

Instead of falling upon him, however, he suddenly 
discovered that Leverett was not where he thought 
he was, and at the same instant had a sensation as if 
his head had been suddenly caught in a vise. He 
had lost the hold on his opponent’s arm too, and 
while his head was held down in spite of every 
effort to twist it away, he reached out wildly to get 
another grip with his left hand. Lower and lower 


212 A LEGAL WRECK 

went his head, and more desperately did he resist 
the force, when, with a suddenness that gave him no 
chance to prepare for it, there was a reverse move- 
ment. His head and body with it were carried 
backward in the very direction he had been straining. 
He felt a quick grip around the waist — another on 
his right leg — a knee in the small of his back — a 
violent lift- — and after that a general sensation of 
being pitched backward and landing heavily upon 
the hard ground in a confused heap. Scrambling to 
his feet and muttering terrible oaths, he turned upon 
his antagonist again. He saw that while he was 
down Leverett had thrown off his coat, and that he 
now stood ready for him. Smith was crazy with 
rage. If he had had a gun or revolver he would 
have emptied every barrel of it into Leverett’s heart. 
He looked for a loose stone, but none was at hand. 
A sudden triumphant thought came to him. The 
knife ! He would hack the cool blue-eyed athlete 
to pieces — he would rip him open — cut his throat — 
stab him — anything — he cared not what. The knife ! 
His trembling hand was plunged into -his pocket 
and he drew out the weapon. 

Leverett saw the motion, and with it the malig- 
nant, venomous glance from the brutish eyes. He 
knew it was life or death now. Life if he got the 
weapon away from the maddened ruffian,' — ^death if 
the frenzied brute had a chance to use it upon him. 
As the fellow took the knife to open the blade 
Leverett sprang upon him, and seizing the hand in 
which he held it, made a violent effort to wrench 
open the fingers and get it away. Smith had one 
hand free, and at first struggled to loosen Leverett’s 
grasp upon the other. Finding he could not do this 
he aimed a heavy blow at Leverett’s head, which 
the latter dodged by suddenly ducking. He struck 
again, and this time hit his opponent squarely over 
the eye. Leverett was working with both hands to 
wrest the knife from Smith, but now let go with one 
in order to defend himself. Smith instantly took 


A LEGAL WRECK 


213 


advantage of this, and twisted loose the hand in 
which he held the weapon. Leverett sprang for it 
again, but failed to reach it, as the other drew it 
away and held it above him. It was now a quick 
and desperate struggle, the men locked together, 
moving this way and that. Smith had his knife 
hand free, and kept trying to bite the blade open 
with his teeth. Every time he made the attempt 
he received a stunning blow in the face that de- 
feated his purpose. Again and again he bit sav- 
agely at the blade, again and again his head was 
struck back. Leverett saw that he could not reach 
the knife, and was endeavoring to stun or blind the 
fellow before he should succeed in opening it. Smith 
kept backing before him, hoping to get clear long 
enough to accomplish his purpose, and Leverett sud- 
denly saw that without knowing it they had come 
within a few feet of the edge of the cliff. 

“ Look out ! he shouted. 

But Smith did not hear. He only knew that 
Leverett's attention was distracted for an instant, 
and in that instant his teeth caught the blade and he 
had the knife open in his hand. 

Leverett sprang for his arm, but it was raised out 
of his reach. The struggle became fearful. Smith, 
bent on murder, endeavored to cut his antagonist 
in the face, but his hand was caught. He tore it 
free again, and regardless of the fearful blows that 
were rained upon him, made another effort to use 
the big blade. Leverett was roused as he never had 
been before. His motions were like those of a tiger 
—dodging and parrying the murderous strokes aimed 
at him, and sending in a crashing blow whenever he 
saw the opportunity. 

Suddenly he felt a stinging sensation in his right 
shoulder, and found at the same time that he could 
hardly use the arm. He had been cut. Although 
be had parried the blow, the point of the knife had 
reached him. 

What are you doing — are you trying to murder 


214 


A LEGAL WRECK 


me?'' he shouted breathlessly, as Smith attacked 
him with redoubled ferocity. 

'' Damn you ! " hissed the bully under his breath, 

I’ll cut the heart out of you ! " 

There was no help at hand. Leverett could not 
defend himself with one arm. Yet he made a des- 
perate effort to do so. He seized the murderous 
ruffian around the body in such a manner as to pin 
down his right arm, but he saw him instantly take the 
knife in his left hand. In another moment he would 
strike him a fatal blow with it. Leverett lost con- 
trol of himself. He now cared for nothing but to 
save his life. Concentrating all his desperate force 
into one mighty effort he threw himself against his 
antagonist with such a sudden impetus that the 
fellow lost his balance and staggered, Leverett bear- 
ing upon him. They would have fallen upon the 
ground had not Smith, in trying to save himself, 
plunged backward. 

Suddenly the stones under their feet began to 
loosen and split away. Ed Smith uttered a horitible 
yell and reached out to save himself. They were 
upon the crumbling edge of the cliff. 


It is often impossible, in moments of ex- 
16. treme peril, when life depends upon the 
quickness of our actions, to know exactly how 
we accomplish results. There was a blank in 
Leverett's mind for an instant. Then he 
found himself alone, several yards from the edge of 
the precipice. He was supporting himself by the 
swaying trunk of a young sapling. In some ^vay 
he had managed to get clear of Smith's desperate 
clutches and stagger to the tree upon which he was 
now leaning heavily. The ruffian, who was bent 
upon his murder, with a piercing howl that still rung 
in his ears, and grasping wildly at the bushes and 
stones about him, had disappeared down that fear- 


A LEGAL WRECK 


215 


ful heighto Leverett remembered seeing him delay 
his fall a second or two by his clawing into the earth 
and loose stones, by his grasping of roots and 
vines. His last horrified look, the whites of his 
eyes showing wide above the pupils, as everything 
gave way and he dropped into eternity, was in- 
delibly pictured in Leverett's mind, and he seemed 
still to hear the resounding thud of the loosened 
stones as they struck against the precipitous sides 
of the cliff in their descent. Yet he had no idea 
how he had saved himself. 

Suddenly he started. A fearful thought came 
upon him. He looked round toward the edge of 
the cliff. The marks of the final struggle were 
there. He turned away and hurried a few steps in 
the opposite direction ; then stopped again with an 
agonized look upon his face. 

My God!'* he exclaimed. He glanced back. 
There could be no mistake. ‘‘ My God ! — I have 
killed him ! ** 

He stood like one paralyzed. Whether he had 
intended to force the man off the cliff or not he did 
not know. It seemed to him that he did have a 
vague idea of saving his life by such a course. He 
did not remember the fearful provocation. The one 
shocking thought took possession of him and bore 
him down like lead, — the awful thought, the dread- 
ful realization that he had committed murder ; that 
he had taken a human life. 

How long he stood there he did not know. He 
heard a voice and looked. Although his eyes had 
been open before, he had not seen. Now he looked, 
and perceived that Merriam was before him, and was 
speaking. ^ 

As Leverett faced Merriam, the latter stopped in 
the midst of what he was saying, and stared at him, 
then turning suddenly, walked rapidly toward the 
edge of the cliff. Upon reaching it he cautiously 
looked over, holding on by some tough bushes. He 
soon returned to Leverett. 


2I6 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Leverett/' he said, in his usual quiet mannct, 
yet with a certain unusual seriousness in his tone, 
I really think you Ve killed a man/' 

Dead ! — Dead ! " exclaimed Leverett, looking 
at Merriam appealingly. 

He’s gone over there, hasn't he? " with a slight 
gesture in the direction of the precipice. 

“Yes — yes — but perhaps — " Leverett started im- 
pulsively toward the edge of the cliff as he spoke. 

Merriam stopped him. 

“ No,” he said, “ don't look." 

“My God! I have killed him then!" and he 
sank down upon a rock, and covered his face for a 
moment. 

“ The Cap’n's son, wasn’t it ? " 

The other nodded his head in his hands. Then 
he looked up and added, “ The Cap'll ! The old 
Cap'n ! It will break his heart 1 " 

“ Self defense of course ? " 

“ Yes. He was going to run a knife into me and 

I— I—" 

“ Yes, I know the rest. He did cut you a little — 
here on the shoulder." Merriam tore open the shirt 
and examined the wound. “ It’s only a scratch ; still 
you d better have it looked at — it struck a muscle or 
cord in there." 

“Murder! Murder!" whispered Leverett with a 
shudder, while Merriam fixed a handkerchief over 
his shoulder and then assisted him on with his coat. 
“ Great heaven — what shall I do ? " 

“ You want advice, of course." 

“ Of course I do — I ?^7ist.h^ve it !" 

“ Give yourself up at once," said Merriam, hand- 
ing him his hat. “ I)on’t waste any time." 

“ Yes — I will." 

“ Hire a man to drive you over to Williamsport ; 
go to the county sheriff — Hoadley's his name ; tell 
him I sent you ; explain what you have done ; he 
will arrange it." 

** Arrange what ? 


A LEGAL WRECK 


217 


‘‘ Your committal. . You needn’t alarm yourself in 
the least. It’s only a matter of some detention ; — 
no bail in these cases you know.” 

“ But you will come with me ?” 

No,” — with a motion toward the cliff, — ‘‘ I 
must — ” 

“ Yes, yes ! ” interrupted Leverett with a shudder. 
‘‘You must attend to — ” He did not finish, but 
looked about wildly. 

You’d better go,” said Merriam. 

'^Yes — I will,” answered Leverett, and he took 
hold of Merriam’s hand. “ You’re my friend again.” 

“ I — I shall do what I can,” replied Merriam, dis- 
concerted for an instant, but recovering quickly. 

“ Thank you for that — thank you„” Leverett 
wrung Merriam’s hand, and turning, walked rapidly 
away. He had proceeded but a short distance when 
he stopped suddenly and stood looking before him. 
The cause of this was soon apparent, for Olive Gray 
appeared, and going to Leverett said something 
which Merriam could not hear. Nor could he catch 
Leverett’s reply, but he saw him pass her and go 
on down the path. Olive turned and gazed after 
Leverett as he strode blindly on. Then she came 
toward Merriam with an anxious questioning look 
upon her face. 

As she approached Merriam motioned to her to 
stop. She did so, and stood waiting, the sunlight 
sifting upon her slantingly through leaves and 
bx*anches, sending little moving bars and touches of 
light across her beautiful pale face. 

“ Do not come here, Miss Gray ; — it is no place for 
you,” said Merriam, with the same unusual sympa- 
thetic tone in his voice. 

Olive looked at him for some time without speak- 
ing. Then she turned away and went slowly down 
the path. “ What wiU uncle say,” she thought to 
herself, “ what will dear old uncle say when I tell 
him his son is dead?” 

Merriam watched her until she disappeared from 


2i8 


A LEGAL WRECK 


view. Then he glanced rapidly in various other 
directions to assure himself that he was quite alone. 

Apparently satisfied that no one was near, he 
picked up the rope which Ed Smith had brought 
with him when he came up from the boat, quickly 
threw one end around the trunk of the sapling as 
near the ground as possible, and tied it fast. Then, 
carrying the other end, he went to the edge of the 
cliff and moved slowly along very near it, looking 
over as he did so. Soon he stopped at a spot 
near where Smith had fallen, and cast the end of the 
rope off so that it hung down the side of the preci- 
pice. There was a moment’s pause, and the rope 
was suddenly pulled taut with a violent jerk. Mer- 
riam waited a moment ; then with one hand he took 
a firm hold of the rope a little way back, and leaning 
over the edge, reached down with his other hand. 
Suddenly he seemed to shake all over with the vio- 
lence of a mighty effort ; then he began slowly to 
pull up and draw away from the edge with all his 
strength. The next moment there was a hurried 
struggle, and Ed Smith climbed, kicked and scram- 
bled up over the edge of the cliff, and rolled for- 
ward prostrate on the ground. He had managed as 
he slid off, while the earth and stones were giving 
way beneath him, to get his foot into a crack or seam 
in the face of the rock, and grasping some tough 
roots that his hand struck upon in his desperate 
struggles, had succeeded in holding himself in that 
fearful place, half hanging, half standing upon the 
foot he had wedged into the seam. He could not 
climb up, for the roots alone would not have sus- 
tained his weight. He dared not call for help, as he 
hatl no doubt that if Leverett heard him he vvould 
mercilessly throw him off. The consequence was 
that there he hung. 

.Merriam, having assisted him up and landed him 
safely on the ledge, walked wearily over to the rock 
which he had formerly occupied, seated himself, and 
lighted a cigarette. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


219 


It was some time before Ed Smith moved. 

17. He lay panting near the rocky ledge, his face 
upon the ground. Merriam seemed in no 
hurry whatever, for he sat and smoked and 
appeared to enjoy the scenery. 

Ten or fifteen minutes passed. Then the fellow 
lifted his head, slowly drew himself up, and rolled 
over into a sitting posture. He was thoroughly 
frightened. But his face was so bruised and swelled 
that there was little expression in it. 

Soon his eyes fell upon Merriam, and for some time 
he gazed at him, a peculiar scowl slowly and with 
difficulty manifesting itself among the contusions 
about his forehead and eyes. It increased in inten- 
sity, and finally he clumsily stumbled to his feet 
and took several steps toward the lawyer. He 
seemed to be quite lame, for he stopped and rubbed 
his ankle and foot. Then he scowled at Merriam 
again. 

As the realization of the fearful punishment he 
had received came upon him more and more vividly, 
his anger, which had been temporarily banished by 
fright, slowly reasserted itself. He felt of his face 
and found it a mass of ugly bruises. It was with 
considerable difficulty that he could see out of one 
eye. The shoulder upon which he had fallen when 
Leverett threw him the first time was painfully lame. 

As he examined himself further his indignation 
increased. This little wretch before him was a 
friend of the man who had dealt him these ter- 
rible blows. Very likely he was the one who had 
put him up to it. The whole thing was arranged 
between them. What mattered it that he had 
helped him up from the perilous place where he 
had been hanging, so long as he was the cause of 
his being there? It was a plan to murder him, and 
here was the man who had worked it up, or at any 
rate was largely responsible for it. He was not a 
strong man either, and his friend was evidently 
not in the neighborhood. It was an excellent oppor- 


220 


A LEGAL WRECK 


tunity for getting even with one of them for what 
he had suffered from the othen BesMes ail this, he 
owed the impertinent little lawyer a beating for his 
brazen assurance in serving legal papers upon him 
and meddling with affairs that were none of his 
business. 

Feeling his ugly temper rise within him as he 
thought of all this, he advanced toward the spot 
where Merriam was calmly smoking his third 
cigarette. 

“ Say you ! he began with a terrible oath, it^s 
about time to give you a little — 

You are my prisoner.’* Merriam spoke with the 
utmost nonchalance, and went on smoking uncon- 
cernedly. 

As frequently as Edward Smith had received 
these knock-down surprises from Merriam, each new 
one struck him squarely and left him stunned for 
an instant. He could neither dodge nor parry them. 
Their force was calculated with the utmost nicety, 
and they were sent in at the precise moment when 
they would be most effective. This one went 
straight to its mark. It stopped his mouth. He 
stood astonished for an instant, and it was that 
instant that Merriam wanted. He took a slow pull 
of smoke from his cigarette, blew it lazily into the 
air, and'went on without showing the slightest haste 
or excitement : 

You are doubtless familiar — with the process of 
being arrested. Hence an explanation of our — new 
relations will be unnecessary.’ 

Suddenly Ed broke in savagely : 

** Say — what are you talking about you — you — ” 

** I was merely — discussing,’ interrupted Merriam, 
** the very unpleasant position in which you now find 
yourself. I remarked awhile ago, — I do not remem- 
ber whether to yourself or to a third party, — that 
we would eventually have you in the State’s prison. 
This happy time has come somewhat earlier than I 
anticipated.” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


221 


State's prison ! State's prison / I — Fll break 
every bone in your body — I’ll — ” 

Go on — we’ll hang you yet." 

“ Hang me ! " roared Smith, with a fearful string 
of oaths ; “ IVe got old scores to settle with you ! ’' 
And saying this he started toward Merriam to wreak 
vengeance upon him for all he had done. 

But it so happened that the lawyer had quietly 
taken out of his pocket, a moment before, a rather 
rusty looking revolver, and was fondling it carelessly 
in his lap. As Smith advanced upon him he heard 
an ominous click-click, and saw the muzzle of the 
weapon fall lightly over Merriam ’s left arm and cover 
him with its black and forbidding bore. It brought 
him to a very sudden halt, so sudden, indeed, 
that it must have subjected him to a disagreeable 
jar. 

Merriam had. not even turned his head. He 
merely glanced casually out of the corner of his eye 
as the barrel of the revolver dropped into the posi- 
tion which was so distasteful to the man who was 
approaching him. 

During the few seconds of silence that followed 
Ed quieted down wonderfully. Several things that 
he had been bent upon doing were suddenly aban- 
doned. He did not know exactly what to say. It 
was Merriam who spoke at last, in a cheerful tone : 

‘‘ Pretty soon we will go away together." 

‘‘ What for ? " asked Ed suddenly, in a low sullen 
voice. What have I done ? " 

‘‘You have made," replied Merriam, in a slow, 
feelingless manner, as if stating a proposition that 
had nothing whatever to do with any one present, 
“you have made quite a neat selection from the 
Criminal Code, which comes under the general classi- 
fication of Assault with Intent to Kill, It may, 
however, develop into a. still more interesting case, 
if the man dies." 

“ Dies ! " exclaimed Smith, with a violent start. 

“ Dies," answered Merriam, affirmatively. 


222 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Dies ! repeated Smith, louder. 

Dies^*' Merriam obligingly reiterated in the same 
tone. 

I say — I didn’t hurt him, did I ?” 

Merriam turned square round and looked at 
Smith before speaking. Do you suppose,” he 
asked, with slow emphasis, as if astonished at the 
other’s ignorance, do you suppose that you can 
run that large-sized knife of yours four inches into a 
man’s side without hurting him ?” 

“ Knife ! ” exclaimed Smith, with a gasp. 

Knife,” repeated Merriam, affirmatively. 

Knife ! ” Smith gasped again, louder. 

The lawyer declined to proceed further with this 
monotonous dialogue, and smoked in silence. 

‘‘ Good God ! I- — I did^it k 7 iow I cut hint ! ” broke 
out the frightened bully, after a moment. 

Possibly not. That, however, does not in the 
least relieve you of the responsibility for your action. 
In Bucket against Schwabb — 14th Eastman — 467, 
the Court held — ” 

Look here ! I never intended any harm to the 
man ! I never went to hurt him any — upon my 
honor I didn’t ! ” 

Merriam merely gave Smith a look. 

‘'You ain’t goin’ to get me into trouble for this! 
You won’t be hard on a chap ! ” 

Merriam took out a bunch of papers, and selecting 
a large blank sheet of legal size, began to write upon 
it rapidly with a stylographic pen. 

“ Look here, young man ! ” went on Smith, still 
more alarmed, “ we can fix this some way I Say, I 
can make it worth your while ! ” 

Merriam wrote in silence. 

“ Now hold on ! I ain’t so sure but what I can 
make a raise .' ” 

“ Quite likely,” murmured Merriam without look- 
ing up ; “ — at the end of a rope.” 

“ Ain’t there nothingkl can do ? I — I’ve got to get 
out of this some way ! ” Smith was becoming loud 


A LEGAL WRECK 


221 


and excited. Say — give a man a chance^ won't 

you ? " 

Merriam looked at him suddenly. 

Yes — I will,” said he. Just one chance. And 
for this one chance, you do two things. First : Sign 
this. Second : Get out.” 

There was a pause. 

“ What's that ? ” asked Ed in a low voice, a vague 
suspicion coming upon him. 

'‘Absolute, unconditional, final Release, — ,one 
known as Olive Gray, — from any contract, bargain, 
agreement, promise, understanding, of whatever na- 
ture, verbal — written — understood, absolute quit- 
claim, heirs and assigns forever, etc., etc.” 

Smith stood looking at Merriam and breathing 
hard. 

“ The performance,” the lawyer resumed, “ which 
falls under the general heading of ‘ Get out^ I need 
hot explain. It means Go — Disappear — -,Vanish, It 
means that you are not to show yourself in the towns 
of Gap Harbor or Williamsport, or to any of the in- 
habitants thereof, on pain of instant arrest. It means 
that if you ever exhibit your ugly vis^^e in these 
parts again, or if I ever catch sight of you in the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I’ll get you in for 
ninety-nine years — if I don't hang you.” 

Merriam bent down to make a correction in the 
release he had written, and seemed to be absorbed 
for a moment. Smith saw that his attention was 
diverted, and moved stealthily toward him. If he 
could get within ten feet he could spring upon him- 
before he had time to defend himself. He advanced 
more rapidly and was just preparing for a sudden 
rush, when the muzzle of the revolver dropped again 
into its unpleasant position over Merriarn’s left arm. 

Smith stood exactly where he was. 

Merriam went on writing. Indeed he did not ap- 
pear to have stopped at all. “ Now for Number 
One,” he said cheerfully, after a moment. Then 
rising, he placed the paper and pen on the flat surface 


224 


A LEGAT. WRECK 


of a rock, and walked around to the other side of 
Smith with the revolver in his hand. Sign at the 
bottom, please.’' 

Ed stood motionless. His teeth ground together. 
His eyes moved restlessly about as if seeking some 
escape. 

“ I’m sorry to see you suffer,” remarked Merriam 
sympathetically. He waited a moment, and then 
spoke again in the same tone. 

There doesn’t seem to be any way out of it, does 

there? It’ll be over in a minute, and then you’ll 

— be sorry you did it.” 

After waiting a moment longer, the lawyer’s man- 
ner suddenly changed. I have no more time to 
waste,” said he sharply. If you don’t sign that 
noze/y I’ll hand you over! ” 

Smith walked slowly, doggedly, to the rock on 
which the paper lay, picked up the pen and scrawled 
his name in the place Merriam had indicated. He 
rose up with the pen in his hand, and an ugly glitter 
showing venomously in his half-closed eyes, and 
advanced toward him as if to return the pen. 

“ Put it down there please,” said Merriam pleas- 
antly, pointing to the rock where the paper lay ; ‘‘ I 
can get it.” 

The fellow stopped. Then suddenly turning, he 
flung the pen so violently upon the ground that it 
was shattered to pieces. 

“ Many thanks. Number One is faithfully executed. 
Now we will take a short recess while I tell you 
what you are. You are an ugly, venomous cur; a 
depraved and beastly loafer, and a sneaking coward. 
There will be no charge for this. — Now,” pointing off 
in the. direction of the ravine, ‘‘you may execute 
Number Two,” 

Smith stood looking at Merriam. His feelings 
were too deep for utterance. He could have ex- 
pressed them in another way had the opportunity 
presented itself. 

“You may execute — Number Two,^' repeated Mer« 


A LEGAL WRECK 


225 


riam with a suggestive emphasis, at the same time 
giving the revolver a trifling upward movement. 

Edward Smith slowly turned away, muttering 
curses upon Merriam and threats to get even with 
him ajid do him mischief. Bruised, battered, lame, 
and utterly defeated, he descended the trail into the 
deep ravine, his heavy boots slipping and crunching 
along on the small loose stones. 

Merriam listened attentively to the sound, as it 
grew fainter and fainter, to assure himself that the 
man did not linger near. Presently it died away. 
But Merriam did not move untfl he heard the clank 
of oars in the rowlocks of a boat far below. 

Then he went to the flat rock, picked up the paper 
Smith had signed, glanced over it, and after folding 
it carefully, put it in his pocket. Seating himself 
upon the rock he fixed a fresh cigarette leisurely in 
his mouth, and took a match from his case. 

Pm very glad I’ve — got that fellow out of the 
way,” he said aloud, striking the match upon the 
rock and holding it burning in his hand. “ As for 
the other, he’ll tell the sheriff he has murdered a 
man and they’ll lock him up.” 

He lit his cigarette, and carefully blew out the 
match. 

Smith didn’t observe that the release he signed 
was conditional upon her marriage to me.” 

He smoked several minutes in deep thought. 
Then he drew a long breath, and said, as if it were a 
conclusion from what had passed through his mind, 
“ I really think I deserve that girl ! ” 


FOURTH COUNT 


SUMMING VP AND HEARING OF THE CASE 

For two days Cap’n Smith had been w'atching 
I. and waiting for an opportunity to write the let- 
ter to Mrs. Dunks which should deliver him 
from her unpleasant attentions. His supposi- 
tion was that a formal notice to quit, in writing, 
would accomplish the desired result, when the mere 
verbal statement of his wish might have no effect upon 
her whatever. Besides, it was not entirely agree- 
able to speak to her upon such a subject. Had he 
been able to shout what he had to say through a 
long-distance telephone, so that he could be certain 
the widow, at the time she received the message, 
was from three to five miles away, he would not 
have been quite so particular. But to address him- 
self to her personally, while she was in the same 
room with him, was something of which he could 
not endure the thought. There was no telling what 
she might take it into her head to do. Indeed, there 
was no telling what she might not take it into her 
head to do. He therefore preferred, rather than run 
any chances of this kind, to undertake the labor of 
writing a letter. 

It was late in the forenoon of the day Leverett and 
Ed Smith had had their violent encounter on the 
cliff, — indeed, just about the time at which this un- 
pleasantness occurred, when the Cap’n and Mazey, 
who had stationed themselves in the road before 
the house — this being the place where Mrs. Dunks 
would be least likely to develop any dangerous ten- 
derness, — observed that large and estimable old indi- 
vidual come out of the gate, and instead of approach- 


A LEGAL WRECK 


227 


ing them, as they had at first feared she would, turn 
to the left and proceed, with her peculiar, heavy, wad- 
dling gait, down the road toward her own house. 

They watched her in silence until she had disap- 
peared at the turn of the road about half a mile 
^ below. It seemed evident that she was going on to 
the village. The two looked at each other and saw 
that they were of the same opinion. This being de- 
cided, the Cap’ll motioned to Mazey, and started 
for the house. Mazey picked up his stool and fol- 
lowed, hobbling along as rapidly as he could. 

They entered the parlor together, and although 
Cap’n Smith, not a quarter of a minute before, had 
discried Mrs. Dunks half a mile down the road, and 
was perfectly well aware that it would be absolutely 
impossible for her to be transferred back to the 
house in that space of time, he nevertheless, per- 
haps from the force of habit, peered cautiously about 
the room before advancing into it, and finding no 
evidences of the widow’s presence, heaved a sigh of 
relief. He at once proceeded to the business of the 
hour. First he moved a small table out from the 
wall, and cleared away some books and magazines 
that were upon it, laying them in a neat stack on 
the floor. Then he went to one of his lockers, and 
after a long search, produced from it several large 
sheets of paper which were yellow with age, and ap- 
peared to have been torn from a large ledger or 
purser’s account-book in days gone by. After dust- 
ing them off with his hand, he held them one by one 
up to the light and examined them critically, with 
his left eye partly closed, and selecting the one 
which he considered presented the most favorable 
appearance, put the others back in the locker and 
closed it. Then he took the selected sheet of paper 
to the table, and laid it carefully down, smoothing it 
flat. 

Mazey stood at one side and watched these ma- 
neuvers wdth undisguised awe. It was perfectly evi- 
dent that a very important step was about to be 


228 


A LEGAL WRECK 


taken, and for some time he was too much impressed 
with the solemnity of the occasion to think of light- 
ing his pipe. 

The Cap'n disappeared into the dining-room, and 
from there went into the kitchen, returning presently 
with an old ink bottle which he placed upon the 
table. He then went out again and soon brought 
back with him a number of quill pens. These he 
put down by the side of the ink, and after placing a 
chair before the table, stood off at a little distance 
and surveyed the general lay out. Upon the whole 
he seemed satisfied. Mazey saw that he seemed 
satisfied, and he at once seemed satisfied himself. 
The Cap'n approached him, and the two stood with 
an air of general approval and a great sense of relief 
that matters had proceeded thus far so favorably and 
with so few casualties. 

At this point they filled their pipes and lit them. 
After smoking a few moments the Cap’n spoke: 

Mazey! '' — in a low voice. 

Aye aye, sir ! scarcely above a hoarse whisper. 

I has detarmined as this here matter regardin’ 
the widder has got to be settled an' laid by for good 
an’ all." 

It arc, sir." 

“ An’ in view of some consid’rations, more or less 
— more or less sir. I’m a-goin’ to turn to an’ write 
her a letter." 

The Cap’n was not acquainted with the exact sig- 
nificance of the phrase ‘‘ more or less," but it seemed 
appropriate to the business in hand. Mazey was 
much impressed by it, and looked at the Cap’n with 
mingled respect and awe, feeling that he was in the 
presence of the actual working of a profound intel- 
lect. 

It are a onusual business for me sir," went on 
the Cap’n, '‘an’ you’ll have to stan’ by." 

" Aye aye, sir," came the faithful response. 

The Cap’n now seated himself at the table, laid 
his pipe on one side, took up a pen, and looked at 


A LEGAL WRECK 


229 


Mazey. The latter's single eye was strained open 
to see the beginning of the important undertaking, 
and he had removed his pipe from his mouth and 
held it in his left hand. 

After looking at him for a moment, the Cap'n 
turned and dipped the pen into the ink bottle. He 
had decided to begin with ‘‘ Mrs, Widder Dunks'' 

Putting his head down so near the paper that his 
nose almost touched it, he endeavored to rnake the 
letter M, The pen, however, failed to leave a mark, 
and he hastily, without raising his head, dipped it 
into the ink bottle again, fearing he would forget 
what he had in his mind to write, if he did not use 
all possible dispatch. 

Again the pen would not make a mark, and the 
Cap’n threw it aside and tried another as quickly as 
he could. Finding that no better, he bit it, — not a 
little pinching nip, but crunching the quill between 
his back teeth. Still there was no success. He held 
the paper up to the light to see if he could discover 
the least trace of ink upon it, but there was none. 
It then occurred to him to look into the ink bottle. 

“ This here ink has struck a sand bar," he an- 
nounced, after looking into the black depths a mo- 
ment. 

“ No channel, sir?" inquired Mazey. 

“ None whatsomever, sir!" 

The Cap'n at this point turned the bottle upside 
down, and immediately a quantity of very thick ink 
ran out upon the paper. 

Avast there ! " he exclaimed, quickly righting the 
bottle, and hurrying to stop the spread of the ink by 
scraping it in with both hands. 

There were some ink into it sir, arter all," said 
Mazey solemnly. 

‘‘ There were, sir," answered the Cap'n, as he held 
the sheet of paper, black and dripping, at arm’s 
length, and viewed it critically. ’Twoii’t never do 
to send her that there," he continued ; she’d think 
as how I’d a-bursted a blood wessel." 


230 


A LEGAL WRECK 


This being decided upon, he rose, went to the 
locker, and selected another sheet of paper which he 
brought back to the table. Before seating himself 
he picked up the ink bottle and took a long look 
down into it. 

“ It are low tide into there now for ssiYiai?iy' he 
observed. 

“Aren’t there none into it whatsomever, sir?” 
inquired Mazey. 

“ There aren’t enough left to float a fly,” answered 
the Cap’n dubiously. “Just you take a look down 
there an’ see if you can make out any.” 

Mazey took the bottle and moved his good eye 
over the mouth of it. He had the advantage of not 
being obliged to waste any effort in closing the 
other one. The Cap’n stood and watched him 
intently. 

“ There aren’t none in sight, sir,” reported the old 
mate, without hesitation. 

“ Mebbe you can smell some,” suggested the 
Cap’n, without a thought of facetiousness. A very 
perceptible odor had arisen from the fluid he had 
just spilled out, and it occurred to him that if any 
remained in the bottle it might give some indication 
of its presence in the same way. 

“ My smellin’, sir, are gone,” replied Mazey. “ But 
there’s jist one way fur to git at this thing.” 

“An’ what may that way be?” asked the Cap’n. 

Mazey did not reply, but he gave a most knowing 
look, and then putting the mouth of the bottle to 
his lips, took in a long breath, and blew down into 
it with all his force. Immediately he noticed a pe- 
culiar cool feeling about his nose and mouth, and 
to a less degree upon adjacent portions of his face. 
He saw, too, that the Cap’n was staring at him 
strangely. 

“ You’ve got at it,” remarked the latter, after a 
moment’s pause. 

“ Were there any there, sir?” asked Mazey, much 
pleased. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


231 


** There were some, but it aren’t there no more.” 

Where did it go?” Mazey inquired, somewhat 
mystified. He had quite forgotten the cool sensa- 
tion that he had felt for a moment upon his weather- 
beaten countenance. 

‘‘You’ve blew it out,” the Cap’n answered. 

“It are like unto the widder’s cruse so fur as I kin 
see,” remarked Mazey, much puzzled. He felt a 
slight tickling sensation, and rubbed his hand across 
his face with a broad sweep. Again he noticed that 
the Cap’n stared at him strangely. The fact was 
that his appearance, which was at first very strik- 
ing, with great blotches of muddy ink covering his 
mouth and nose and scattered here and there upon 
his forehead and cheeks, was now, after he had 
passed his hand across his face carrying great black 
stripes over his cheek and ear, exceedingly grotesque. 

But no sign of mirth appeared on the Cap’n’s face ; 
he looked at Mazey with much solemnity, and Mazey 
^stared at him. Soon he took the bottle away from 
the old mate, and going to the mantel, removed a 
vase of flowers from its fastenings, laid the flowers 
out, and poured some water from the vase into the 
ink bottle. Just as this was done, he looked round 
at Mazey again, and absent-mindedly put the flowers 
into the ink bottle which he left upon tjie mantel, 
placing the vase upon the table. 

Mazey watched the entire proceeding with inter- 
est, smoking his pipe mechanically as his eye followed 
the Cap’n about. He saw the ink bottle with the 
flowers in it left upon the mantel ; he observed the 
vase upon the table, and noticed the Cap’n dipping 
pens into the water and making ineffectual attempts 
to write therewith, biting them, throwing them away, 
and becoming more and more excited. 

“Marciful Jane!” finally exclaimed the Cap’n, 
holding the paper up to the light and examining it 
carefully, “ there aren’t sich a thund’rin’ sight o’ 
diffurence atween that there ink an’ water! Mebbe 
I’d a done better by puttin’ merlasses into it.” 


232 


A I.EGAL WRECK 


‘‘ I takes notice sir/' said Mazey, after removing 
the pipe from his mouth very deliberately, ‘‘ I takes 
notice sir, as you has anchored them there greens 
into the ink bottil, an' is a-tryin' fur to make markin's 
with the watter as they was a-soakin' in." 

The Cap’n looked at the vase, and then at the 
mantel. That are true," said he, and he rose at 
once and put the vase in its proper place, bringing 
the ink bottle back to the table, forgetting however 
to remove the flowers therefrom. After trying to 
dip a pen into it he discovered his mistake, and 
taking the innocent little bouquet out handed it to 
Mazey, asking him to lay hold of it for a minute. 
Mazey stood with the bunch of flowers in one hand 
and his pipe in the other, but it so happened that 
he had taken the flowers in the hand which was 
accustomed to holding the pipe. As he watched 
the Cap'll, who had succeeded at last in making a 
rather pale mark on the paper, he raised the flowers 
slowly to his mouth and deliberately put the cold 
and slimy bunch of stems between his teeth. This 
caused him to start, and the Cap’n heard him say in 
an undertone, ‘‘ I’ll sot 'em back into the wasc, sir." 
A moment later there was a loud hissing noise as of 
a hot coal dropped into water. Mazey had dropped 
his pipe into the vase. He qujckly caught it up to 
recover his pipe, when the Cap’n’s voice called out 
‘‘ Mazey ! " so sharp and sudden that he let go his 
hold, and the vase with his pipe in it fell crashing on 
the hearthstone, breaking into a hundred pieces, and 
scattering water in every direction. 

Aye aye, sir ! " responded the old mate simul- 
taneously with the crash. 

I can't never git no idees together while you're 
a-goin' on in this here way. You’d better go aloft, 
sir." 

Aye aye, sir." 

Mazey started obediently toward the door. Just 
as he reached it the Cap'n spoke again. 

** Hold hard there ! " Mazey stopped and turijed to 


A LEGAL WRECK 


233 


receive whatever command was forthcoming. “ I’ll 
put you on the port watch, sir,” said the Cap’n, with 
the regular intonation of a ship’s order. “ Stand away 
to the Nor-nor-east, an’ if you make out the widder 
Dunks a-headin’ this way, don’t let her run by ye ! ” 
Aye aye, sir.” Mazey was just turning to go, 
when he paused, hesitating. If so be as I sights 
her sir,” he finally asked, “ how shall I go about fur 
ter round her to ? ” 

The Cap’n wheeled square about facing Mazey, 
who stood with the bunch of flowers in his hand, 
and his dreadfully smudged and inky face turned 
toward the old commander. 

Don’t be nowise oneasy on that there pint,” he 
answered reassuringly, when the widder once gits 
her eyes on you she’ll put about quick enough ! ” 

Mazey departed, having no idea why Mrs. Dunks 
would alter her course upon seeing him, but with 
unquestioning faith that she would do so. And the 
Cap’n, after watching the old fellow hobble dowm the 
little path which wound among the flower beds in 
the front yard, pass out through the gate, and start 
down the road, turned toward one of the most prom- 
inent fishes staring at him from the wall, and said 
aloud, ‘‘ If so be as Mrs. Dunks once gits a sight o* 
hiifty she’ll think as he’s the devil incarcerate— an^ 
he don’t know it neither.” 

Having delivered this opinion with entire gravity, 
he turned to ” and devoted himself once more to 
the diflficwlt task of composing and writing the letter 
to the widow. 


After much laborious effort, in which his nose 
2. seemed to take quite as prominent a part as 
the pen with which he slowly formed the 
letters, — the points of the two moving along 
in close proximity, Cap’n Smith had written 
as follows: 


234 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Mrs. Widder Dunks. 

Dear Madam Kind Frie^id : 

With all due respect & allowing- as you is a nice creeture 
considring your age I wishes to give out as how your atten- 
tions toward me is duly appreciated & all other things thereto. 
But consarning them I has this to say. That if so be their 
meaning is as how we will get spliced I calls on you to belay 
there & avast there immediate. 

I signs my name hereto 

as your obedient servant 

Edward Smith. 

After signing his name, the Cap’n rose greatly re- 
lieved, and at once filled his pipe, looking at the 
letter meanwhile as it lay upon the table. He 
took a match in his hand and was on the point 
of striking it, when a peculiar shiver passed over 
him. He glanced out of the window uneasily. 
Then he put his pipe down and went to the barom- 
eter near the stairs, looking at it closely for several 
seconds. 

They's a nor-easter or somethin’ cornin’ up,’^ 
he said as he came back into the room. '' It are a 
inexp’icable thing how ye can seem to feel a blow 
a-comin’ — even afore the glass tells ye.” 

He shivered again, and took his pipe from the 
mantel, pressing down the tobacco with his finger. 
It then occurred to him that Mazey was standing on 
the lookout down the road, and he started toward 
the door with the idea of calling him in. Just as he 
reached the little front hall he heard a light step on 
the veranda, and a moment later Olive Gray opened 
the door and stood before him. 

For a moment the two looked at one another in 
silence. 

“ I sees as everythin’ ain’t right, young leddy,” the 
old man said in a low voice, looking into her white 
face with much concern. 

No, uncle.” 

What are happened then ? ” 

Something — dreadful, something dreadful ! 

Cap’n Sm ith took her hand tenderly, reverently, 


A LEGAL WRECK 


235 


and led her into the little parlor. Then he stood 
looking at her. 

Dreadful did you say?’' he asked, after a little. 

Olive nodded her head and looked down a mo- 
ment, holding to his faithful old hand tightly. 

Are this here somethin’ as you wants for to tell 
me, or is it on’y to yourself as it can be know’d?” 

It is something — I must tell you,” Olive answered, 
with a slight convulsive drawing of her breath. 

Then make it any time as you’re ready,” said 
the Cap’n tenderly. 

Olive looked up into his kind and weather-beaten 
face. Oh uncle ! ” she said, the tears coming into 
her eyes, ‘‘ I wish I need not tell you, because you — 
you — ” 

If it’s on account o’ me as you’re troublin’,” 
returned the Cap’n, after waiting for her a moment, 
‘‘ you can go right on.” 

Yes — I must tell you uncle — Mr. Leverett and 
— and Ed — ” 

My son ?” the Cap’n asked quickly. 

Olive nodded assent. 

“ I were afeard o’ this ! ” There was a tremor in 
his voice. 

But you don’t know,” Olive went on sadly. 
‘‘You don’t know how dreadful it is! They 
fought — ” 

Fought, child ! Don’t — don’t tell me as Ed’ard 
has hurted him! — You don’t say anythin’ — you — ” 

“No — it’s* the other way.” 

“ The — other — way,” he repeated huskily. 

“ Your son — ” 

“ He’s hurted ! — Where is he layin’ ? ” He started 
toward the door. 

“ No, uncle ! ” Olive held him back. “ Don’t go.” 

She led him gently to a chair, and he suffered him- 
self to be seated, keeping his eyes upon her, for he 
saw that there was something yet tg^come. 

“ It’s too late,” she said, sinking upon her knees 
before him, and looking tenderly inlo his face. 


236 A LEGAL WRECK 

Too late ! ” he exclaimed, a sudden breath going 
out with the words. He remained looking in Olive’s 
beautiful sympathetic face for quite a time ; then he 
said in a low tone, “ He ain’t--^one fur ? ’’ 

‘‘ Yes, uncle.” 

The old man rose to his feet and stood staring 
before him. Olive rose too, and took hold of his 
hand, but he did not notice it. By and by he 
moved slowly across the room and opened the locker 
wdiere he kept the Calcutta Mariner^ but be appar- 
ently changed his mind, for he closed it again and 
returned to Olive. 

“ Where did this thing happen ? ” he asked. 

“ On the high cliff,” 

I may do some good yit,” and he went toward 
the door. 

“ Uncle,” said Olive, going quickly to his side, 

let me go with you.” 

The Cap’n stopped and looked at the girl, whose 
lovely face was turned up to his with a look of such 
sweet tenderness and sympathy. He brushed his 
sleeve across his eyes, for the tears were coming. 

No,” said he after a moment, shaking his head, “ it 
ain’t for you — it ain’t for you, young leddy.” 

‘‘ I wish you wouldn’t call me that,” said Olive in 
a tremulous voice ; “ I wish you wouldn’t. You 
used to call me — ” She stopped, and her eyes were 
upon the floor. Not since she was a little girl had 
she spoken to him from her very heart, but now the 
desire was so strong that her reserve was broken 
dov/n. “ You used to call me — ” 

Darter,” said the Cap’n, and he put his arm ten- 
derly about her neck. So I did — once ; an’ I’d like 
to a’ gone on, on’y you seemed so much differenter 
someways.” 

'' Oh don’t say that, uncle dear,” Olive answered 
gently, looking up into his face. I’m your daugh- 
ter more than ever now, yes, more than ever'' she 
repeated, as she felt the old man’s arm suddenly 
tighten about her, while a low exclamation of joy 


A LEGAL WRECK 


237 




escaped him. You have been so good to me, uncle 
dear, and I love you so much. I want to go with 
you now, — I want to be near you always'' 

Cap'n Smith could do nothing for several minutes 
but look down into that sweet face, and brush away 
the tears that would come. After a time he said, 
his voice trembling, “ Then — then I can call ye - 
darter — agin."' 

“ O yes ! '' 

He looked at her tenderly, and after a moment 
simply said, “ Darter.'" Then he caressingly touched 
her forehead and smoothed her hair with his trem- 
bling hand. “ But you mustn’t come with me now," 
he went on, after awhile. ‘‘ When they’s a storm the 
wimmin must go below. — Yes," he added, shaking 
his head, even the Cap’n's darter, — even the 
Cap'n's darter." 

He turned and went slowly toward the door. 
When near it he paused, but did not look back. 

“ So my son is — " He could not finish, and stood 
very still a moment. ‘‘This here sweeps me fore 
an’ aft," he finally gasped, ir a broken voice. “ He — 
he were a rough boy for sartain — but I were fond of 
him — along of his bein’ my — my son," 

Olive saw him lean heavily against the side of the 
dooru'ay, and put both hands up to his face. She 
was by his side in a moment. The Cap’n felt her 
hand upon his arm. He could not resist that ten- 
der touch, and turning, let his head fall upon her 
shoulder as a wave of grief swept over him. But 
almost immediately he stood erect again, and wiping 
his eyes with his old red handkerchief, made a des- 
perate effort to control himself. 

“ Well, well," he said, “ I are ashamed for takin’ 
of it this here way. Why — why they’s compensatin’ 
into everythin’ an’ there are into this." He looked 
at Olive with a happy smile breaking through his 
tears, “ Albeit I’ve lost a son overboard, I — I’ve 
got a darter now ! ’’ He left Olive and went to 
the front door As he opened it, he turned to 


238 


A LEGAL WRECK 


her again with a look of the most loving tenderness 
IVe got a darter now/' he repeated, and then 
went out, closing the door after him. 


For awhile Olive stood where the Cap’n left 

3. her, her face toward the door through which 
he had passed, her eyes so full of tears that 
it seemed to dance before hen After a little 
she turned suddenly away, and sinking upon 
one of the cushioned lockers that served as a window 
seat, leaned sideways, her shoulder against the cas- 
ing, and with her dainty little handkerchief pressed 
against her face, cried quietly. Her heart was so 
full of grief that she could think of nothing else, 
and consequently did not notice that a carriage had 
driven up and stopped in front of the house, and 
that a very stylishly dressed young lady with soft 
hazel eyes and an expression of the most radiant 
happiness upon her delicate features, had alighted 
therefrom, and after darting through the gate and 
hurrying up the winding gravel walk, was knocking 
at the front door. 

This young lady seemed to be in a most enthusi- 
astic hurry. She knocked several times, but each 
time followed so closely upon the one before it 
that the series might easily have been mistaken for 
one rather long-continued knocking, beginning pianis- 
simo and crescending rapidly to the end, at which 
point, being unable to wait any longer, she opened 
the door cautiously and peeped in. 

Why shouldn’t she open the door ? Was she 
not looking for her own sister ? Could she wait for 
the trifling formalities of servants and door-openings, 
inquiries as to Miss Gray’s being at home, and the 
sending up of her card, when she was simply burst- 
ing with pent-up love and happiness, and dizzy with 
the pressure of the countless number of things she 
had to say ? 


A LEGAL WRECK 


m 


Edith Kimball was in the little front hall in a 
moment. Her pretty mouth was just shaping itself 
to call ‘‘ Olive! and her tender heart was ready with 
the deep feeling which she could not have helped 
pouring into the word, when she saw, through the 
open door of the parlor, the fishes and sea ferns, and 
crabs caught in spider webs, on the wall at the further 
end of the room. ' She at once changed her mind 
about calling out, and thinking the one she sought 
might be at work upon the marine decorations about 
which they had often spoken, she entered the pai'lor 
and looked hurriedly about. 

‘‘ Olive ! 

A sudden look, and Olive started to her feet with 
a cry of delight. 

“ Edith 1 ’’ 

They were in each other’s arms. 

Olive was crying on her sister’s shoulder. Tears 
came into Edith’s eyes too, and dropped upon 
Olive’s wavy glowing hair. 

When Olive looked up, wiping her eyes and smil- 
ing through her tears, she did not understand exactly 
why her school-friend was crying too, but supposed 
it was from sympathy with her. 

I’m so glad to see you,” she said, her voice 
trembling from her recent emotion. 

“ Olive dear, you were crying when I came — 
something is the matter — tell me — tell me dear, 
what it is.” 

‘‘ No no,’' and Olive made a pathetic little strug- 
gle to find her handkerchief which she had tucked 
in her belt. Don’t — don’t mind me.” 

‘‘Yes, but I do mind — did we ever conceal any- 
thing from each other?” Edith asked coaxingly, at 
the same time leading Olive to a corner where two 
chests at right angles, with chintz-covered cushions 
on them, formed a corner seat, and sitting, beside 
her there. “We used to tell each other everything 
you know, — and there is something we did not 
dream of when we were at Smith together — some- 


740 


A LEGAL WRECK 


thing that makes hundreds and hundreds of times 
more reason why you ought to tell me — Olive 
deary' and sh ^ held her close in her arms again, and 
felt more tears rising to her eyes, repeating ‘‘ Olive 
deary' again in a lower tone that trembled wdth an 
added depth of affection. 

‘‘ I’ll tell you, Edith, — I’ll tell you. — It is so sad! 
You know the dear old Cap’n I used to speak of — 
Yes — the one you call uncle — who has been so 
kind — ” 

Olive nodded tearfully. 

** His son,” she went on, is — is dead.” 

Oh ! ” exclaimed Edith, with all the sympathy 
of her nature in that one word. ‘‘ How sad ! ” 

‘‘Yes,” Olive answered, “yes indeed; he — was 
killed.” 

“ Killed ! ” gasped Edith, her voice lowered. “ The 
poor fellow! Was it an accident?” 

“ An — ” Olive stopped and looked at Edith help- 
lessly. Finally she finished by saying, “Yes — I 
hope so, but oh, don’t ask me — it is such a terrible 
affair. Uncle has just gone to — to find him.” 

Edith looked her sympathy, kissed Olive, helped 
her wipe her eyes, and said, “ You poor dear,” as 
only she could say it. 

Finally Olive looked at her and said suddenly: 

“What a surprise! I’m so glad you are here!’* 

“ Oh are you ? ” 

“ Y es — really.” 

“Not nearly so glad as I am though, because I 
know something to be glad about that you don’t 1 ’* 
“What?” 

“ Dear, dear ! ” Edith looked about the room. 
“ And this is where you painted all over the wall ! '* 

Olive smiled and said, “ Yes.” 

“Gracious me! There’s your deep-sea dado, and 
there’s — why you didn’t tell mQ di word about the 
lily-pads ! — Oh my ! ” Edith suddenly exclaimed 
with a shudder as she looked, “ it makes me feel as 
if I were under water ! ” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


241 


Mr. Merriam — a gentleman who — who * 

*'Yes, ( know J im.*' 

Olive stopped short and looked at Edith in sur- 
prise. 

Do you ? ” she finally asked. 

I snould !hink I did ! He’s from Boston, you 
know.” 

“ Yes, but I didn’t suppose everybody in Boston 
knew — everybody else ! ” 

Almost everyone knows him. What did he say?” 

He said — Well ! IVe forgotten it now. Oh ! 
— He said, I ought to paint a life preserver hanging 
up somewhere to make a person feel m.ore at ease.” 

‘^That’s the first time I ever heard o' his indulg- 
ing irt a witticism,” laughed Edith. 

‘‘ He seems like an odd sort of a man. Do you 
know him very well?” 

“Ought to! He’s mamma’s legal adviser. Why 
we sent him down here.” 

“ What do you mean, Edith ? ” 

“ I mean just that. We sent him down here — on 
business.” 

“Why I thought Mr. — ” Olive stopped. Her 
face, which had brigh::ened wonderfully during her 
talk with Edith, grew clouded and thoughtful again. 

“Come, come! You mustn’t think of the sad 
things any more, because — because 1 am here, and 
I want to — I v/ant to surprise you.” 

“ You have surprised me Edith, and so charmingly! 
But you haven’t told me how — how—” 

“ How we came ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ By rail all the way to Williamsport, and then in 
a carriage which we .hired for the occasion. Ha! 
ha ! You ought to see it ! It’s too funny ! ” Edith 
laughed a merry little laugh. 

Olive waited until she had finished, looking at 
her meanwhile with questioning in her eyes. 

“We?” she then said with a rising inflection- 
half interrogation, half surprise. 


242 


A LEGAL WRECK 


“Certainly. You don’t suppose I came alone 

“Oh — of course not !” Olive said this suddenly, 
her mind upon an experience of her own. “ Of 
course not,” she repeated. “Who — ” 

“ I’ll tell you who pretty soon — if you’re good.” 

“ Why not now ? ” 

“ Because.” 

“ Where were you going — Bar Harbor?” 

“ No,” Edith replied very shortly, shaking her 
head, and looking at Olive as if she expected an- 
other question. If so, she was not disappointed. 

“ Campobeilo?” 

“ No.” 

“ White Mountains ? ” 

“ No.” 

“ Moosehead ? ” 

“ No.” 

There was a pause, mainly owing to the fact that 
the popular summer resorts in that vicinity were 
exhausted. 

“Are you quite through, Olive dear? Because if 
you are — I’ll tell you.” 

Olive smiled. 

Edith went on : 

“ We weren’t going anywhere but just here — to 
see you.” <She waited a second, but Olive said 
nothing. Her surprise was evident without any 
verbal commentary. “ And of course you want to 
know why,” Edith continued almost immediately, 
“ and it’s because I have something to tell you, — 
and it’s 'ever and ever so good, — and mamma’s afraid 
I’ll tell it too suddenly — and so am I, and — and — ” 
Edith was nearly out of breath by this time, and she 
stopped, not alone for that reason, but also because 
she saw that she was coming too quickly to the point. 

“ What is it ? ” Olive asked, involuntarily drawing 
away a little, and looking at Edith with eyes wide 
open. 

“ It is-^it is that we’ve found out — that you’re a 
relative of mine — there / ” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


243 


Olive rose slowly and stood looking at Edith, 
her lips repeating the word “ Relative.” 

Yes ! yes ! ” Edith exclairxied, jumping to her feet 
enthusiastically; then, seeing Olive retire away from 
her a few steps, she went on in the same breath, 
“ Distant, of course, — miles and miles away if you 
like — you needn't be alarmed ! ” By this time she 
was close to Olive again and her arms were about 
her. 

“ How can that be, Edith?” 

“ Just as easy as not ! ” 

But — but I don’t know anything about any 
relatives.” 

“ That’s where I know more than you do then ! ” 

And can you tell me — ” 

Tell you ! Tell you anything you want to know, 
dear ! ” 

Really ? ” 

‘‘Really and truly blue! Ask me something — 
ask me and see ! ” 

Olive’s back was toward the door, and she did not 
observe that a tall and rather stately lady with white 
hair and a very pale face had entered, and was look- 
ing at her with an eager, longing gaze. At the door, 
a little way behind her, stood a maid, carrying a 
silk traveling ulster. 

“ Supposing, Olive dear,” Edith went on impetu- 
ously, “ supposing I could bring a relative or two — or 
supposing I could bring just one- right here — to you 
—now , — that is, another one besides me, for I’m one 
you know,- — who would you rather see ? Olive, tell 
me truly, honestly, who in all the world would you 
like to see most, if you thought you could? What 
is the most precious name on earth — a name you 
have never spoken because there was no one to speak 
it to? You know it in your heart, dear, because your 
heart has longed for her and cried for her, because — ” 

“ My mother ” It was spoken breathlessly, with 
a great sob in her voice. She stood looking at her 
sister. 


244 


A LEGAL WRECK 


And she is here/' cried Edith, a triumphant glad- 
ness in her voice, at the same time turning Olive 
gently, so that she stood facing the tall, white-haired 
lady with the longing eyes. 

Mrs. Kimball advanced toward Olive, holding out 
her arms. 

“ My child ! " she said, in a low trembling voice. 

Can this be my — " 

Olive had involuntarily stepped back a little. 
Her mother saw the movement, and a great pain 
struck through to her heart. Could it be possible 
that her daughter might not welcome her — might 
even refuse to recognize her ? She had not thought 
of this. It came upon her like a blow. She stood 
still. Her heart seemed to stop beating. 

Edith was by Olive's side in an instant. 

And I am your sister ! " she exclaimed joyfully. 
‘‘Not much of a change for us, is it? We were 
always that, Olive dear, and it was through me that 
we found you, and you are coming home with us, 
and we will never, never be separated again ! " 

Olive had caught Edith's arm and was holding to 
it, not knowing what she did, but clinging to her as 
to the only friend within reach at this supreme 
moment when her soul was being shaken. As 
Edith spoke, she looked into her face almost help- 
lessly. 

“ Yes," said Mrs. Kimball gently, “ you must leave 
this place at once." 

“ Leave this — " Olive looked from one to the 
other, a painful thought passing through her mind. 
“ Leave uncle ! " she added in a half whisper, her 
eyes moving restlessly about the room, yet seeing 
nothing. 

“The old sea captain has doubtless been good to 
you — " Mrs. Kimball began, going a little nearer. 

“ Oh — he has ! " Olive quickly whispered, with all 
the deep earnestness of her nature in the three little 
words. 

Yes. dear, we know he has. We know it. But 


A LEGAL WRECK 


245 


can’t you think for a moment of your mother? — 
Why do you hesitate ? ” She suddenly asked, hardly 
able to control her deep agitation. Why do you 
wait ? Why don’t you come to me, my child ? ” 
And she held out her arms again. 

Olive made a slight motion with her hand as if 
asking for a little time. Then she moved a step 
away from Edith, standing by herself, a peculiar 
light burning in her wonderful eyes, and a faint 
feverish flush appearing beneath them. 

If you are my mother,” she began, her voice 
quivering a little, “ if you are my mother, you can 
tell me something I would like to know.” 

What can I tell you ? ” There was a tone of anxi- 
ety in Mrs, Kimball’s question. Her manner seemed 
to change. She involuntarily retired a little, appear- 
ing to draw herself away as if shrinking from what 
she feared would come. Yet she did not remove 
her eyes from Olive. 

About my father.” The words came calm and 
clear. 

Mrs. Kimball turned her face away. 

Olive went on, quietly : 

What was the trouble ? Why did he come here, 
— away from his friends, — away from his family, — 
away — away from and end his life as he did> so 

sadly, so miserably ?” 

She waited a long time, but receiving no answer, 
added almost pleadingly : 

“ Surely you can tell me — if you are my mother.” 

Mrs. Kimball motioned her maid to leave the 
room. Then she turned to Olive with an expression 
of deep suffering upon her face. 

“ Is this the first greeting from a daughter,” she 
asked, ‘‘ a daughter lost to me long years ago ? Is 
her first thought to question — to doubt — to give me 
pain ? ” 

“ Why should I not question ? ” was Olive’s 
quiet rejoinder, in a voice gentle, pleading, tiying 
not to wound, asking only to be satisfied, How 


246 


A LEGAL WRECK 


can I help doubting ? If I am your daughter, why 
am I here ? Why is it that I have been lost to you 
so many years ? I want to know the truth, that is 
all. That is all.'' She waited a little and then added, 
‘‘ If you do not want me to doubt, tell me.*’ 

Mrs. Kimball looked steadily at Olive a moment. 
‘‘Very well.’* There was a touch of resignation in 
her tone. “ Since it is your wish, I will.” 

“ Not now, not now, mamma,” Edith broke in 
impulsively. 

“ Yes, now,** answered Mrs. Kimball. “ I prefer 
it. If she cannot accept her mother as she is, not- 
withstanding her mistakes, so bitterly repented, it is 
best to know it at once.** 

She stopped a moment as if summoning strength 
to say what she must, and then turning painfully to 
Olive, went on : 

“ Your father*s strange conduct, his gloom, despair, 
his flight with you, and finally his — suicide, resulted 
from a disordered mind, a broken heart, — insanity.” 
Mrs. Kimball waited an instant, her eyes upon the 
flocv*. Then, looking up again with an effort, she 
continued : “ And for the breaking of that gentle 
heart, for the downfall of that sensitive spirit I 
am — ’* 

“No no, mamma!” interrupted Edith. 

“Yes,** Mrs. Kimball rejoined, “she shall know 
the truth ; she shall know that unhappiness in our 
home was the cause of it all, and that his mind 
finally gave way when I — sought a separation ! ” 

“ A — separation ! ” gasped Olive. 

Mrs. Kimball bowed her head, and did not look 
up again. 

“Why?** 

“ Only to please myself.** 

“ Then this — ” Olive spoke as though thinking 
aloud — “ this was the cause of it ! This is what — 
killed Imn ! ’* 

Mrs. Kimball caught the word and started, looking 
up with an expression of agony. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


247 


Edith stood a short distance from her, motionless, 
apprehensive. 

‘‘ I see now,'' Olive went on, I see now why he 
was so troubled — why he wished to forget ! And 
because he could not kill the bitter memory, he — " 
she stopped and looked at Mrs. Kimball. '' Oh, it 
must be a dreadful thing," — she spoke impulsively, 
hardly realizing what she said, — a dreadful thing to 
know that you were his murderer! " 

‘‘ Olive ! How can you ! " came quickly from 
Edith, in a despairing tone. 

With a groan of anguish Mrs. Kimball sank down 
upon a chair exclaiming, This is my punishment ! 
This is my punishment ! " 

But Olive heard nothing. It was the look of 
agony upon that pale, suffering face that went to 
her heart, and carried with it the realization of what 
she had said. In an instant she was at Mrs. Kim- 
ball’s feet, fallen on her knees before her, holding 
her hands, and looking imploringly in her face. 
“No no! I did not mean it!" she cried out, “oh, 
I did not mean it! Forgive me! You are my 
mother — my mother — my mother ! " and she buried 
her face in Mrs. Kimball’s lap. 

Edith turned away to hide the tears that were 
falling fast, and for a few moments there was no 
sound. A slow step on the little veranda and the 
opening of the front door passed unnoticed, and 
they did not see that Cap’n Smith had entered and 
was standing in the room with a look of bewilder- 
ment upon his face. 

Mrs. Kimball had put her arms about Olive and 
drawn her lovingly to her, so that her head was 
against her breast. She smoothed back the girl’s 
beautiful hair caressingly, and rested her lips 
upon it, and upon her forehead, and cheeks, and 
neck. 

“ Ah, my child," she said, when she was able to 
speak, “ who is perfect ? Who does not err or make 
mistakes? Who is always sincere, always honest, 


248 


A LEGAL WRECK 


always unselfish in this world? There is none,** 
shaking her head sadly, there is none/’ 

Olive raised her eyes to her mother’s, and as she 
did so, caught sight of the Cap’ll standing near the 
door. 

Yes, there is one, and he is here.” She spoke 
with a trembling voice. One who is unselfish, 
sincere, honest always, — one whose heart is true as 
steel.” 

She rose, and going to Cap’n Smith, took his hand 
tenderly in both of hers. 

Uncle,” she said, the tears filling her eyes as she 
looked into his kind old face ; “ uncle dear, this lady 
has come here — for me, and — I am going — to leave 
you.” 

The Cap’n did not move. He kept his eyes 
steadily upon Olive’s upturned, tearful face, and gave 
no outward sign that a cruel, ragged blade was tear- 
ing its way into his heart. 

I am going to leave you, uncle, and go with her, 
because she is — my mother.” 

After looking into Olive’s fat:e a while he turned 
toward Mrs. Kimball, and gazed at her for some 
time. Then he glanced painfully about the little 
parlor, and finally his old eyes returned and rested 
once more upon the lovely face before him. He 
tried to smile upon her, but could not. Soon he left 
her and crossed the room in an absent-minded way, 
stopping a moment to draw one hand across his 
forehead, as if there were a pain there. Then he 
went to one of the oaken lockers, and lifting the lid 
slowly, took out the old Calcutta paper and stood 
holding it in his hand and gazing straight before 
him. Suddenly, with a low moan, he dropped upon 
a chair that was near, crushing the , faded yellow 
paper convulsively in his trembling arms, his head 
sinking down upon his breast. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


249 


The Kimball house on South Myrtle Avenue, 

4. Dudley Park, was the scene of great rejoicing 
during the two weeks following Olive’s arrival 
there. That Mrs. Kimball was happier than 
she had been for many years ; that Edith was 
simply in an uninterrupted series of ecstasies of ever- 
varying descriptions — for she had a fresh one nearly 
every morning ; that Olive was very happy indeed 
in her charming new home, with a devoted sister 
and an affectionate mother, not to speak of the 
many admiring relatives with whom she was becom- 
ing acquainted every day, would certainly be taken 
for granted. 

It will be readily understood, too, that there were 
several very tender places in Olive’s memory which 
could hardly bear to be touched. She was nearly 
heart-broken upon leaving old Cap’n Smith, and 
made him promise over and over again that he would 
come and see her just as soon as he could. It was 
arranged, too, that she was to return his visit shortly 
after, and so, continuing in this way, they would see 
each other often. The sorrow of the parting was 
nevertheless a bitter one. 

Though the Cap’n said little, Olive knew that it 
was almost taking his life away, and once, a little be- 
fore her departure, as he was standing very still and 
staring vacantly before him, a few tears rolling down 
his cheeks, she threw her arms about his neck and 
declared she would not leave him. 

But he only shook his head and tried to smile as 
he answered : ‘‘ Why this here are a mistake you 

is a-makin’. I was jist a-thinkin’ as how this were 
sich a good thing for ye — sich a good thing,” He 
stopped, and then added, with almost a gasp, as if 
it were hard to say it, ^‘You — you ain’t never be- 
longed into this here place. I’ve know’d it all 
along.” 

“ I would rather have been here with you, uncle, 
than anywhere else^' Olive whispered, her face close 
to his. 


250 


A LEGAL WRECK 


A great flood of tears rose into his eyes, and he 
hurried away so that she should not see them. And 
when he came back he pretended to be very cheerful 
indeed, but she knew that there was a great pain 
dragging at his heart, and because of it, and because 
she loved him so dearly, her own was filled with the 
tenderest solicitude. 

There was some one else about whom Olive was 
extremely anxious, and, for that matter, the entire 
family were disturbed about him too. 

It was very kind of Mr. Richard Merriam to drive 
out as often as he did so that they should have the 
latest tidings from the Williamsport jail. He must 
have known how deeply concerned the Kimball 
ladies were, or he would not have appeared with 
such obliging regularity every afternoon for the 
purpose of relieving their anxiety, or to increase it, 
as the case might be. 

Once he even went down personally to Williams- 
port, at a great sacrifice of time (and consequently 
of money), to see if something could not be done. 
It was really absolutely necessary that something 
should be done. There was the most imminent 
danger that unless steps of a vigorous legal nature 
were taken at once, Heniy Leverett would be re- 
leased upon his own recognizance. The self-sac- 
rificing attorney without a moment’s hesitation 
abandoned all other business in hand to go to Wil- 
liamsport and take the necessary steps. He was 
not yet ready for the broad-shouldered young 
athlete to make his appearance in the vicinity of 
Boston. 

While he was in the near neighborhood, he drove 
over to Gap Harbor and had a long consultation 
with Cap’n Smith regarding a matter that troubled 
the old sailor very much. He had been so utterly 
heart-broken when Olive left him that his mind was 
a mere tender blank, and it was nearly a week after 
she had gone that he remembered the letter of in- 
structions^ and that he was enjoined therein against 


A LEGAL WRECK 


251 


allowing any one who might claim to be related to 
the child, to take her from him. He had faithfully 
fulfilled every other requirement in the letter, .and 
that he should have disobeyed this request, which 
was written down with the utmost emphasis and 
iteration, troubled him sorely. Mr. Merriam had 
kindly given him som^ advice regarding his complb 
cations with Mrs. Dunks, and had even been so 
obliging as to have a personal interview with the 
widow, which proved marvelously effective. Owing 
to thiSy the Cap’n had the greatest respect for his 
legal attainments, and unlimited confidence in his 
judgment. He therefore consulted him about the 
clause of his instructions which he felt that he had 
violated, and what was the proper course for him to 
pursue under the circumstances. The result of the 
advice that was given him manifested itself a few 
days later. 

The young lawyer finished up his business in 
Williamsport and Gap Harbor in the shortest pos- 
sible time, and hurried back to Boston. He hurried 
as he had never done before. It was not that he 
transacted business any faster, for he had never 
wasted a second of time in his life ; neither was it 
that he traveled any more rapidly, for he could not 
have exceeded the schedule time of the fast express. 
The difference between his present hurry and those 
of former occasions was merely in the attitude of 
his mind toward it. It was a nervous haste as dis- 
tinguished from a cool and evenly balanced dis- 
patch ; it was a conscious as opposed to an uncon- 
scious urgency to effort; his usual hurry, although 
it appeared to be hurry, was only habitual rapid-, 
ity ; his present hurry was the real and genuine 
article. 

He wished to return to the city at the earliest 
possible moment, for the reason that the firm of 
Merriam & Bostwick had the most important case 
on hand that it had ever undertaken to manage, — ■ 
that is to say, important to the head of the firm. 


252 


A LEGAL WRECK 


It was a case involving so much to him that he 
devoted nearly all his time to it. 

As for Charles Bostwick Esq., he worked night 
and day, toiling as if his very life depended upon it, 
to help the thing along, and yet without the faintest 
knowledge of what it was all about. The portion of 
labor that fell upon Bostwick’s shoulders was the 
taking care of the vast amount of business which 
Merriam had abandoned ; and although he (Bost- 
wick) was a singularly obliging person, it nearly 
exhausted his patience and ruined his health. In 
addition to this, it came close upon resulting in the 
loosening of a very important — to him — domestic 
tie. 

Mrs. Bostwick, having a number of former occa- 
sions in mind, declined to believe that it was busi- 
ness which kept her husband out so late, and acted 
accordingly. Mr. Bostwick, rendered exceedingly 
nervous and irritable by his unusual hard and con- 
tinuous work, and having, besides, truth on his side, 
— an ally to which he was so unaccustomed that 
its presence fired him on to greater lengths than 
he might otherwise have gone — ^ became wildly 
indignant, and said some of the harshest things 
that had ever proceeded from his lips — out of 
court. 

To these things Mrs. Bostwick, as became a law- 
yer’s wife, gave answer, and not the particular 
kind of answer that is supposed, on account of 
its yielding nature, to turn away wrath. At any 
rate, it did not turn away Mr. Bostwick’s. There 
was a stormy scene. Two of the children woke 
up. Having been frightened a few nights before 
by a conflagration in the neighborhood, their first 
thought was that the house was on fire, and running 
to the front window, they screamed at the tops of 
their voices to that effect. Mr. and Mrs. Bostwick 
rushed upstairs. Two policemen meanwhile broke 
in the front door, and another rang the alarm, while 
a number of belated citizens congregated outside. It 


A LEGAL WRECK 


253 


was an hour before the crowd finally dispersed and 
the last engine went rattling away in evident dis- 
appointment at being unable to ruin anything by 
water. 

Of course Mr. and Mrs. Bostwick did not exchange 
any remarks the following morning at breakfast. 
Neither did they the following evening at dinner. 
After dinner Mr. Bostwick went out. When the 
hour of midnight again arrived and he had not re- 
turned, Mrs. Bostwick proceeded to execute the 
same maneuver which she had so successfully en- 
gineered upon one of the former occasions referred 
to. She first rang for a messenger ; then, hurrying 
on her bonnet and throwing a light shawl about her, 
waited at the door until he came. 

Soon after — ^for it was not far to the place — she 
was climbing the stairs of the building in which was 
the office of Merriam & Bostwick, and the messenger 
was waiting for her on the sidewalk below. In a 
moment she stood breathless before the door. With 
a sudden rushing-scuffling-paroxysm she flung it 
violently open and dashed into the room. Imagine 
her disappointment and chagrin ! There was Bost- 
wick surrounded with books and papers up to his 
chin, working like a dog ! 

What are you' doing here?’" he asked, shading 
his eyes from, the light so that he could see her. 

“ I~I wanted — I thought you — it’s time to — to 
come home,** she stammered. 

“ Well ril go home when I damn please,** was his 
barbaric rejoinder. And he did. 

All this unpleasantness was the direct result of 
Richard Merriam*s complete absorption in his new 
case, and he should have been held responsible for 
it. Usually Mr. Bostwick was as even-tempered as 
a shorn lamb, and never before had he used the 
word damn in direct conversation with his wife. It 
will be observed that even in this case he had, in a 
measure, applied it to himself, or more correctly 
speaking, to his pleasure ; and it maybe incidentally 


254 


A LEGAL WRECK 


remarked that to some of the joys in which he occa- 
sionally indulged it was not altogether inappropriate. 
But it cut as deep into Mrs. Bostwick’s soul as if it 
had been directed straight at herself. She went 
home in anything but a pleasant frame of mind, and, 
to complete her misery, the messenger boy over- 
charged dreadfully for his company down town and 
back. It was all very trying, and Charles would 
triumph over her next day, and stay out late at the 
club a hundred 7tights, just because he had been 
caught telling the truth once — for which he ought 
to be thoroughly ashamed of himself. This was 
what went through her mind as she paced fever- 
ishly up and down her room in the small hours of 
the morning ; and after that there came desperate 
thoughts of a separation ; and in her excitement she 
even went so far as to do a little exercise in mental 
arithmetic, which had for its basis the equal division 
of three children between two persons, each of whom 
must have them all ; and although this may appear 
like an exceedingly difficult problem, the proper 
solution came to her at once, almost like an inspi- 
ration — indeed more like that than anything else, 
which was, that she should keep them all, and Charles 
could come and see them once in so often — or- even 
oftener if he wanted to. The whole idea was horri- 
ble, yet one must face these things, and she would 
not flinch. 

As a result of Mrs. Bostwick’s not flinching, the 
family relations became exceedingly strained, so 
much so, indeed, that there was great danger of a 
fracture. It will therefore be seen that while the 
case to which Merriam was devoting his every en- 
ergy had for its object the securing to himself of a 
‘Wife, its direct effect upon Bostwick, who had toper- 
form the heaviest part of the labor involved, was to 
place him in imminent peril of losing his. And yet 
he did not complain. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


255 


It can hardly be realized with what impatience 

5. and anxiety Olive Gray watched for the daily 
appearance of Mr. Merriam. He always came 
in the afternoon, and for nearly an hour before 
his usual time it might have been observed — 
if any one had been so cruel as to closely scrutinize 
her actions — that she continually glanced down the 
drive in the direction of the gate ; that she was un- 
usually silent, or if spoken to, answered in an exceed- 
ingly absent-minded manner ; and that she moved 
restlessly about from place to place. 

An outsider, that is to say, a mere bystander, had 
there been such an individual in the vicinity, noting 
this singular solicitude, as well as an evident desire 
on the part of Miss Gray to be left alone with Mr. 
Merriam the moment he appeared, and being en- 
tirely ignorant of the circumstances and events ac- 
cessory to these facts, would certainly have arrived 
at the conclusion that the young lady entertained for 
this man the most tender of feelings. 

Fortunately, however, there were no bystanders 
in the neighborhood. Mrs. Kimball and Edith were 
not ignorant of the circumstances accessory to the 
facts. They had not been entirely surprised when 
Olive told them she was acquainted with Mr. Henry 
Leverett, for the possibility of such a thing suggested 
itself to them upon receipt of a certain letter the 
gentleman named had written to Edith not long 
before ; and when Olive gave them a glowing de- 
scription of the manner in which this gentleman had 
introduced himself to her at the Bergmont Railroad 
Station, and they had listened, besides, to Mr. Mer- 
riam's brief but pointed outline of the circumstances 
attending the yachting disaster, they fully understood 
why the young lawyer was so warmly welcomed, and 
obligingly left Olive alone with him as soon after he 
came as they could consistently with the necessary 
amount of politeness. 

Some .young men, perhaps it is not going too far 
to say the majority of young men, would have been 


2$6 


A LEGAL WRECK 


deceived even more readily than the aforesaid by* 
standers, had they perceived that they were as anx^ 
iously watched for and as eagerly and excitedly wel- 
comed upon their arrival, by the particular young 
women their hearts had chosen, as was Richard Mer- 
riam Esq. by Miss Olive Gray. But he was not 
deceived in the least. If it is true that the majority, 
in similar circumstances, v/ould have been misled, 
and consequently have arriv^ed at conclusions not in 
accordance with the facts, then he was one of the 
minority. 

As he was whirled through the gate and up the 
smooth graveled drive, he was aware that Olive’s 
eager glance was directed toward him from one of 
the windows ; and from the recurrence of this phe- 
nomenon each day, he became convinced that the 
charming young lady was in the habit of watching 
for his appearance with anxiety — even with impa- 
tience. When, after his arrival, she entered the 
drawing room with a bright flush upon each cheek, 
a glowing light in the depths of her dark eyes, and 
a pathetic little tremor in her low musical voice ; 
when, furthermore, he took the exquisite white hand 
she extended to him and felt that it was burning 
hot, and palpitated like a frightened bird with the 
quick beating of her pulse, he knew perfectly well 
that she was more than glad to see him — that she 
was, indeed, feverishly excited by his presence. 

As has been intimated, however, he was not for a 
moment deceived. It was difficult to throw Merriam 
off the track in his judgment of motives. In this 
case there was, at no time, a question in his mind. 
Miss Gray was impatient for his coming only be- 
cause he might bring her news of somebody else. 
The fevered flush, the tremulous voice, the palpitat- 
ing hand, had no relation to himself, and he knew it 
perfectly well. He fully realized, too, that the glow- 
ing light in her beautiful eyes was burning solely for 
the man he was at that very moment instrumental 
VI detaining in the county jail at Williamsport. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


257 


But, strange as it may seem, this knowledge did 
not disturb him in the least. He was not, in this 
affair, relying upon such uncertain elements as mat- 
ters of feeling or sentiment, which might or might 
not change at any inoment He had undertaken to 
secure Miss Gray for himself : he was impelled to do 
so by an irresistible force that was stronger than 
anything which had ever urged him in any direction 
before ; he therefore adopted what he considered 
the most absolutely certain, means for bringing about 
the result he desired. From his inborn characteris- 
tics; from his whole manner of life, and thought, 
and business — which was his life, there could be, for 
him, but one mode of procedure in a matter involv- 
ing so much, viz., the Legal. 

To him it was a case. A case of the utmost im- 
portance. He would not undertake anything so ex- 
perimental — so uncertain — so hazardous — as an en- 
deavor to \Vin the young lady's affections. Others 
might resort to such doubtful measures. For him- 
self, he would simply make it impossible for her to 
marry any one else. When he was ready he would 
get a hearing, and prove to her the said impossi- 
bility. 

So far as he was concerned he was ready in three 
days, but in order to have as fair and unbiased a 
consideration of the points to be presented as could 
be obtained, he preferred to postpone it as long as 
one Henry Leverett could be kept in the back- 
ground, so that Miss Gray's evident warm regard for 
this individual might have all possible opportunity 
of cooling down. Judging from his feminine business 
experiences, a few days should suffice to lower the 
temperature a number of degrees, and if he could 
manage to keep Leverett in confinement for about 
three weeks, he considered that the warmness enter- 
tained by the young lady would have entirely sub- 
sided. 

He went to the Kimball house every day and took 
her temperature, It astonished him greatly to find 


25 ^ 


A LEGAL WRECK 


the warmth apparently increasing rather than dimin* 
ishing. In five days it had risen to such a degree 
that she actually proposed going down to Williams- 
port, and he was compelled to use his utmost ingenu* 
ity to prevent it. Matters were still worse the day fol- 
iowingo On the eighth day he was obliged to make 
the trip himself for the purpose of taking the neces- 
sary steps referred to, and at the same time to 
relieve the young lady’s mind, for she would cer* 
tainly have gone if he had not. On his return he 
succeeded, by encouraging words, ■ in keeping her 
quiet for a short period. It was not long, however, 
before she again manifested an inclination to leave 
for Williamsport, and this time it was evident that 
unless something was done, she could not be re- 
strained many days. 

Merriam decided that the case must go on at 
once. He sent a telegram to Cap’n Smith, arranged 
some other preliminaries, and waited for the next day 
with more nervousness than he had ever felt before 
the opening of any trial with which he had hereto- 
fore been concerned. 

That afternoon he received a dispatch from the 
Sheriff at Williamsport which showed him he had 
acted none too soon. 


The following day Merriam rang the bell of 
6. the Kimball house an hour and a half earlier 
than had been his custom. As he heard the 
servant coming, he threw away the cigarette 
he had lighted in the cab a few seconds before, 
and when the door was opened, asked if Mrs. Kim- 
ball was at home. 

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, he stepped 
into the large front hall, and was in the act of put- 
ting his card on the silver plate, when he noticed 
that one was already there. He glanced at it closely. 
It bore the name of Henry B. Leverett. 


A LEGAL WRECK 259 

** Where is this gentleman ? ” he asked in a low 
tone. 

In the drawing room, sir. I was just taking his 
card in to Mrs. Kimball v/hen you rang.** 

“To 3frs. Kimball?’' repeated Merriam. 

“Yes sir.” 

“You needn’t take it.” 

He quietly took Leverett’s card and put it in his 
pocket. “ Nor mine. I want to talk to this gentle- 
man a few moments. Say nothing about our being 
here. When we are* ready to send in our cards, we 
will ring.” 

“ Yes sir.” The maid left him at once. 

Merriam watched her until she had disappeared 
from view, and then walked into the drawing room. 

“Hullo, Merriam!” said a well known voice. A 
broad-shouldered form rose before him and he felt 
his hand seized. 

“ How the devil did you get out?” was his cool 
rejoinder, as Leverett gripped his hand until he felt 
the bones crack. 

“Get out I Jove! I thought I never would I It was 
a terrible place too — the hotel was bad enough, but 
the jail — whew ! I don’t advise you to stop there, 
Merriam. I finally asked them to hang me or do 
something, and a man they called Judge McEllston 
took an interest and did some sort of a subacute 
bronchitis or something of that kind, and I swore 
that Td return whenever wanted and do a couple of 
dozen other things, after which they discharged me. 
Where is Miss Gray ? ” he asked suddenly. 

“Haven’t you seen the — family?” Merriam in- 
quired with a gesture toward the door. 

“Not one of them. wouldn’t know where 

she is though. I went over to Gap Harbor to find 
her, but the house was closed up — not a soul to be 
found. Somebody said they’d all gone to Boston. 
Come now Merriam, you know where she is — for 
Heaven’s sake tell me ! I — I want to see her ! ” 

“ Will you do me a favor in return ? ” 


26 o 


A LEGAL WRECK 


“ A favor ! Fll do you a hundred and fifty ! What 

IS it ? 

Don't speak so loud please. — I want your 
assistance." 

Go on." 

‘‘ Leverett, I am in love.” 

Good heavens ! Were you actually serious when 
you told me about being about Miss Gray?" 

“About Miss Grayf repeated Merriam, turning 
to Leverett an astonished glance. 

“Yes." 

“ I am in love with Mrs. Kimball’s daughter.” 
This in a low impressive voice. 

Leverett looked at him a moment in amazemient. 

“ Look here, is this a ghastly joke ? " he finally 
asked. 

“ No — it’s a ghastly fact. You said you would do 
me a favor. I want you to help me; " saying which 
Merriam went over to the wall and pushed the knob 
of an electric bell. 

“ What are you going to do ? " asked Leverett 
in a tone of alarm. 

“ I am going to send for Miss Kimbail." 

The maid just then appeared. 

“ Ask Miss Kimball — Miss Edith — if she will be 
so good as to come to the drawing room a moment. 
Say that /wish to see her. You needn’t mention 
any one else." 

Leverett had been unable to speak at first, but 
soon found his voice. 

“What do you mean, Merriam?" he exclaimed, 
starting toward him impulsively. 

“ You will not refuse me this — -I want you to say 
a word for me." 

“ To Miss Kimball!” 

“Yes. You were engaged to her once — you have 
great influence— it is assisting a drowning man I ” 

They w'ere now holding to each other and speak- 
ing with the greatest earnestness. 

“ Hold on ! No no 1 ” Leverett said, half whisper- 


A LEGAL WRECK 


261 


ing. I can't do it now ! I must see Afrs. Kimball 
first. It would be deuced embarrassing to — '' 

Heavens, LeverettI'’ interrupted Merriam, hold- 
ing the other back as he tried to get out through 
the door. Listen, won't you ? It is my only 
chance ! If it isn’t done to-day — " 

“ Let go ! " whispered Leverett, suddenly pulling 
back away from the door, and shaking Merriam off. 
‘‘ I hear her coming downstairs ! " and he started 
toward the conservatory. 

“Wait, Leverett! Hear me, won't yot^?" Mer- 
riam remonstrated, following him. 

“ Not now, I tell you!” replied Leverett, already 
among the shrubs and hanging baskets. “ As you 
have sent for the lady you’d better remain and re- 
ceive her.” Saying which he disappeared around 
the palms and tropical plants that grew luxuriantly, 
reaching nearly to the glass roof. 

Merriam quickly seized the rich hangings and drew 
them together, shutting the conservatory from view. 

He was engaged in this operation when Edith en- 
tered the drawing room. Hearing her footstep he 
turned quickly, and stood an instant before the cur- 
tains. 

“ I beg pardon,” he soon said, going toward her. 
“ You observed that I — that I — — the curtains.” 

“ Yes,” she replied, “ I observed it. Do you think 
it's pleasanter with them closed ? ” 

“ It is my opinion that it is — for the present.” 

“You wanted to see me?” she asked, a little 
coldly, seating herself near a table and turning the 
leaves of a book carelessly. 

Mr. Merriam was one of the few people Edith’ 
could never bring herself to like. He was so cold, 
so utterly feelingless, dry, and dreadful, that she 
could hardly endure him. His presence acted upon 
her ardent, impulsive nature, like a frosty wind upon 
a blooming flower. She felt her feelings shrivel up 
and grow numb w'hen he spoke to her. But she 
tried to treat him politely. 


262 


A LEGAL WRECK 


I did,” he answered ; I wanted to see you on 
a — on a matter of business.” 

Edith was suddenly interested. Is there any- 
thing new about poor Mr. Leverett ? ” she asked. 

‘‘Yes, there is.” Merriam glanced toward the 
conservatory. There was no other door by which 
Leverett could make his escape ; therefore, as long 
as he did not emerge into the drawing room he 
could reasonably be supposed to be there. “ There 
is — something new,” he repeated, turning to Edith ; 
“ I’ve got him here.” 

Edith instantly rose to her feet. 

“ Have you succeeded ? "' she cried, as soon as she 
was able to speak. 

“ Yes — I have succeeded,” replied Merriam, cheer- 
fully. “ He’s in the conservatory.” 

“ Oh ! ” she gasped, “ I — I don’t want to see him — 
jtist now / — I’ll send Olive down! ” and she started 
to leave the room. 

“ Miss Kimball,” said Merriam, stepping before 
her. 

“ Mr. Merriam ! ” she exclaimed, with some indig- 
nation. 

“ Hadn’t better see him first?” 

“ What ! ” she gasped in surprise. 

“ It was merely a suggestion.” 

“ Why — why did you make it ? What right have 
you — ” 

“ No right. I am aware that you have taken a 
dislike to me — and am not in the least surprised 
thereat, — still I am a friend of Mr. Leverett’s, and 
upon his account take this liberty. You — you have 
■not met him since he asked you to release him from 
the engagement that was in force between you. He 
does not know that you were even more anxious 
than himself to have that engagement broken — and 
for a similar reason. If he knew this it would 
greatly relieve his mind, for he is really in an un- 
comfortable state of embarrassment. A few words 
from you would at once put matters upon an 


A LEGAL WRECK 263 

agreeable footing. I thought you ought to know 
this.” 

Edith considered a moment, and then said, with 
quite a change of manner : 

'' Perhaps you are right, Mr. Merriam.” 

Yes, perhaps I am,” he answered, with a vague 
idea that he was accommodating himself in some 
way to the exigencies of the feminine intellect. 

“ But mamma could — ” 

From her it would not have the desired effect.” 

''I might bring it in — in a pleasant way,” said 
Edith,, considering. 

Provided you bring it in, that is all that is neces- 
sary.” 

Yes, it might be better to let him understand 
how it was. He would feel less embarrassed — and 
it’s just as well for him to know that I — that — ” she 
stopped suddenly. 

Those are the points,” Merriam rejoined dryly, 
and moved toward the conservatory with her. He 
is waiting in the — ” 

Yes, I’ll find him.” 

'' You can finish, if you like, by giving him a 
most charming surprise.” 

“ Really ! ” exclaimed Edith, stopping ; do tell 
me how ! ” 

By informing him of the facts concerning the 
finding of your sister.” 

Hasn’t he heard? ” 

No. I thought you might like to tell him.” 

Oh — I can hardly wait ! ” 

She hurried toward the door, but stopped again. 
She felt that she had done Mr. Merriam an injus- 
tice. He did not seem nearly so much like a frosty 
wind as she had supposed. 

Thank you so much, Mr. Merriam!” she said 
feelingly, with a beaming countenance. 

You’re quite-welcome.” 

With a sudden impulse she dashed toward him 
and held out her hand. He took it much as he 


264 


A LEGAL WRECK 


might have taken a five dollar bill, and held it 
patiently while she looked gratefully in his face. 

The next instant she was gone, and the only sign 
of her was an agitation of the hangings between 
which she had passed. Merriam carefully drew 
them close together, so that no one could sec in or 
out, and then looked at his watch. He could count 
oh Miss Kimball detaining Leverett there for cer- 
tainly three-quarters of an hour. If she introduced 
the narrative of her sister’s discovery last, as it was 
quite likely she would, and Leverett told his side of 
it, which he could hardly fail to do, they would be 
in tears in about twenty minutes, if not before. 

There was a ring at the front door bell. It should 
be Cap’n Smith. Merriam glanced into the front 
hall. It was Cap’n Smith, and with him, Jonathan 
Mazey. They were punctual to the second. 

Passing out through another door, Merriam crossed 
the hall, and entering a room which was used as a 
library, sank into a very comfortable, deeply-cush- 
ioned chair. 


The neatly dressed waiting-maid ushered the 
7. Cap’n and Mazey to the door of the drawing 
room, and hesitated before them with the 
little silver plate in her hand. They stood 
together in the doorway, glancing at her 
doubtfully, and then at each other. 

‘‘Your cards, please,” she finally said, in a low 
voice. 

“How’s that?” exclaimed the Cap’n interroga- 
tively, thinking he did not catch the word. Both 
the old sailors were dressed in their black Sunday 
clothes, and wore white cotton gloves. Under ordi- 
nary circumstances it would have been considered 
that the Cap’n’s suit was an exceedingly ill-fitting 
affair, but Mazey's garments were so very much 
further from disj^aying any tendency to accommo- 


A LEGAL WRECK 


265 


date themselves to his rather unique figure, that by 
the side of them the Cap’n's seemed to have been 
measured for him by a Broadway tailor. 

How’s that ! ” he asked, inclining his white hair 
and red perspiring f^ce — for he was laboring under 
considerable excitement — toward the maid. 

Your cards, please,” she repeated, a little louder. 

The Cap’ll turned and stared at Mazey a moment. 
Then he edged toward him. 

‘‘ What did she say ? ” he asked in a hoarse whis- 
per. 

Cards ! ” announced the old mate in his hollow 
bass roar. 

The Cap’n looked Mazey in the eye for several 
seconds as if to gain inspiration therefrom. Then 
he turned and glanced uneasily at the young woman 
with the shining plate in her hand. Drawing in a 
long breath as though about to make a desperate 
sort of an effort, he said in a loud voice : 

“ No, we don’t want no cards to-day — we’re here 
on business ! ” 

The maid was considerably disconcerted. 

Would you give me your name, sir?” she man- 
aged to say, blushing deeply. 

“ For sextain, Miss,” the Cap’n replied ; Ed’ard 
Smith, an’ his’n are Jonathan Mazey.” 

Apparently much relieved, the young woman hur- 
ried away, leaving the two standing close together 
just within the door of the drawing room. 

At first neither of them moved or spoke. After 
a time Mazey noticed that the Cap’n was casting 
furtive glances about the room. He at once fol- 
lowed his superior’s example. Soon they gained 
more confidence, and gazed steadily, turning their 
heads very slowly, from one thing to another. 

It was not long before the Cap’n ventured to give 
utterance to his thoughts, in a cautious undertone. 

' Mazey,” he half whispered. 

‘‘ Aye aye, sir ! ” 

‘‘ This here are fitted up peculiar.” 


A LEGAL WREGK 




It are, sir/* 

The two took observations in silence for a moment* 

The Cap’n ventured another remarko 

Mazey 

Aye aye, sir I *’ 

I wouldnH undertake for to say anythin’ agin it, 
but I’d jist like to see a cabin like this here into a 
gale o’ wind ! 

With a rollin’ pitch onto it> sir.” added the old 
mate. 

The same,” acquiesced the Cap'n. I take it 
they’d be a consid’able alteration in the gin’ral lay 
o’ things.” 

They would, sir. 

Cap’ll Smith edged closer to Mazey and spoke 
still more confidentially, and with greater earnest- 
ness. 

Mazey, if a heavy sea struck ’em broadside, that 
there hangin’ thing ” (he pointed to the chandelier) 
** would have to be carried out into baskets an* 
dumped overboard.’ 

“ It would, sir.” 

Mazey cleared his throat and went on . 

I calls to mind, sir, as how they was a werry 
young capting into the East Injy trade, as took a 
sort of a craze onto him as he’d have a thund’rin’ lot 
o’ nick-nacks into his cabin for to make it pretty 
like ; so he fetched aboard ev’ry kind of a shindig 
what was know’d of them times, an’ when he — ” 

“ Avast ! ” sung out the Cap’n in a warning tone, 
as he saw Mrs. Kimball entering at the other door* 

Mazey simply stopped. There was not a motion 
or turn of his eye. He became silent as a turtle 
discontinues its whistling call on the approach of an 
intruder. Both the Cap’n and himself stood motion- 
less, gazing blankly before them. 

Cap’n Smith, I am very glad to see you, — and yoy 
too sir.” Mrs. Kimball spoke with sincere cordi- 
ality, and offered her hand. The Cap’n took it, but 
was uncertain whether it ought to be shaken or not. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


267 


While he was bringing his intellect to bear on the 
question, it was withdrawn and offered to Mazey. 

The old mate was not troubled by any conflicting 
doubts regarding the proper course to pursue. He 
unhesitatingly took a good hold upon the proffered 
hand and worked it up and down several times, pre- 
cisely as if he were on duty at one of the ship’s pumps. 

Mrs. Kimball smiled good naturedly. Won’t 
you be seated ? ” she asked, when Mazey had finished 
the pumping operation and released her hand. 

No sooner had she spoken than both men dropped, 
at the word, into chairs which were at hand, and sat 
perfectly motionless. 

• M rs. Kimball seated herself leisurely a little way 
off, and slowly waved a very elegant fan back and 
forth as she talked, for the day was warm. 

Have you just arrived in town, Cap’ll? ” 

We are, mam,” promptly responded the old 
sailor. 

It"s quite a long journey from Gap Harbor, and 
you must be very tired.” 

We are not, mam.” 

‘^Indeed?” queried Mrs. Kimball, smiling pleas- 
antly ; Probably you sailors have .been about the 
world so much that a little trip like this is nothing, 
— especially if the weather is fine. Isn’t it a beauti- 
ful day, sir?” she asked, glancing at Mazey and con- 
gratulating herself that she had hit upon a topic 
which would interest a mariner. 

Mazey stared at her an instant. Then turning to 
the Cap’ll, '' Does she mean me, sir?” he inquired 
in his rasping bass whisper. 

“ She do,” was the answer he received. 

Mazey at once faced Mrs. Kimball and said : 

It are not, mam ; the wind has wore round to the 
south’ard an’ are a-kickin’ up a gale..” 

Oh dear ! ” laughed Mrs. Kimball. “ But I’m 
sure you didn’t come to talk about the weather, 
Cap’n, and I know of some one who has been looking 
for you every day, and longing to see you, and hop- 


2515 


A LEGAL WRECK 


ing you would come, — and if you hadn’t arrived to« 
day I really believe the child would have gone to 
Gap Harbor and flung herself into your arms ! ” 

She rose and went toward the side of the room. 

I’ll send for her,” she added, reaching out her 
hand to ring the bell. 

No, not yit ! ” said Cap’n Smith, rising. 

Mrs. Kimball turned toward him in surprise, her 
hand still extended toward the bell. 

When you sends for her, mam, it’ll be for the last 
time.” 

Why what do you mean ! ” she exclaimed, her 
face taking on a whiter shade. 

I means as how Olive Gray is a-conain’ home 
with me.” 


A few moments later the drawing room bell 

8. rang. Has Mr. Merriam been here this 
afternoon ? ” Mrs. Kimball asked, when the 
maid appeared. 

^^Yes’m.” 

How long has he been gone ? ” 

He hasn’t gone, ma’am ; he’s waiting in the 
library.” 

Ask him if he will be so kind as to come to 
the drawing room.” 

Mrs. Kimball was very pale — almost ashen. She 
had heard for the first time, about the letter of in- 
structions. The Cap’n and Mazey were standing 
together at one side. There was a moment of 
silence. Merriam soon appeared, and walking a little 
way into the room stood before Mrs. Kimball. 

“ Mr. Merriam,” she began, in a cold formal man- 
ner, I have heretofore regarded you as my legal 
adviser, and intrusted my business affairs to the firm 
of which you are now the head. If, however, what 
Cap’n Smith tells me is true, you may consider our 
business connection at an end.” 


A LEGAL WRECK 


269 


Merriam looked steadily in the dark eyes that 
were turned upon him so sternly and with such 
evident displeasure. 

Never for a moment could this man be thrown off 
his guard or taken by surprise. It mattered not how 
sudden or unexpected the thrust, in the very instant 
that it came, the certain parry and the effective 
counter thrust flashed upon his mind. 

Mrs. Kimball : '' He addressed her with even 
more formality than she had used, and in a sharp, 
dry tone that brought every word into action. ‘‘ Dur- 
ing my brief acquaintance with Cap'n Smith, I have 
never known him to utter anything but the absolute 
truth. Therefore, although in ignorance of what he 
has told you, I consider it nearly certain that our 
business relations may be considered as terminated.’' 

He tells me,” — Mrs. Kimball’s tone had even 
now lost some of its severity, — “ that you advised 
him to conie here for the purpose of taking my 
daughter from me.” 

I advised him to come here and discuss the mat- 
ter with you personally, in order to arrive, if pos- 
sible, at an amicable understanding. As the state-, 
ment to which you alluded w'as founded upon fact, I 
have no other alternative than to wish you — good 
afternoon.” 

He bowed coldly and moved toward the door. 

“ Mr. Merriam ! ” 

He stopped. 

‘^Kindly wait a moment.” 

He waited. 

Mrs. Kimball was compelled to withdraw from 
her position so quickly that it almost took her 
breath away. For a moment she did not speak', 
when she did it was to say : 

‘‘I see the matter in a different light, and wish to 
— withdraw what I said.” 

‘AVithdrawal allowed,” was Mcrriam’s brief re- 
sponse, Shall I retire ? ” 

No. Kindly remain.” 


270 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Merriam bowed assent, and stood at one side. ^ 

I beg Cap’n Smith to remember that I desire 
only my daughter’s happiness.” Mrs. Kimball spoke 
in a Conciliatory tone, but the Cap’n made no reply. 
She waited a little, and then, in a sort of hopeless 
manner, turned to Merriam and said : 

“ Can you offer any suggestion ? ” 

Merriam came forward at once. 

The young lady who is the subject of this dis- 
cussion is not an infant.” He spoke authoritatively; 
he had the floor, As you are both aware, she is 
old enough to decide for herself. T'he Court held 
this view in Bin well against Eversham — 31st Cush- 
ing — 229. This matter can only be adjusted, there- 
fore, by sending for the young lady, putting the case, 
and obtaining her decision.” 

“ But my instructions is — ” began the Cap’n. 

‘^Your instructions cannot compel her to go 
against her will.” 

But Mr. Merriam,” remonstrated Mrs. Kimball, 
I could not consent, even if she preferred it, to 
have her — ” 

I understood you to say you desired only your 
daughter’s happiness.” 

, There was silence. 

Cap’n Smith stood staring at Merriam blankly. 

Mrs. Kimball had turned away, motionless, pale. 

You both agree to this ? ” 

Neither spoke. 

Merriam stepped toward the little knob in the wall. 

Permit me to ring.” 

Mrs. Kimball looked up quickly, but it was too 
late. The rapid pulsatory strokes of the hammer on 
the bell could be faintly heard. Soon the waiting- 
maid appeared. For a moment no one spoke. 

Did you ring, ma’am? ” 

Mrs. Kimball moved, as if forced to a decision 
against her will. 

Tell — Miss Kimball — her mother wishes to see 
her,” she said slowly. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


271 


The new Miss Kimball, ma’am ? ” inquired the 
maid, doubtfully. 

‘‘Yesi the new Miss Kimball,” was the quick reply, 
in a lower tone. 

A moment later a light step was heard upon the 
stairs. Mrs. Kimball went toward the door, but 
before she reached it Olive had entered and was at 
her side. 

Mother ! ” 

The sweet tenderness in her voice seemed almost 
a compensation for the years she had lived with no 
one to call by that precious name. Mother, did 
you want — ” 

Her eyes had discovered the old Cap’n. 

‘‘ Oh, uncle 

She was in his arms. “Uncle! uncle!” She 
buried her face upon his bosom, while he held her 
close. In a moment he had to loosen one arm in 
order to find his handkerchief, and wipe his eyes. 

“ I’m so glad — so glad to see you I Fve missed 
you, and missed you, and been so homesick, uncle! 
Of course I’ve had my mother,” she added quickly, 
turning toward Mrs. Kimball ; and then, seeing an 
expression of pain on the pale face, she went toward 
her, adding half apologetically, “ but I — I love him 
too, you see.” 

In that brief moment Mrs. Kimball had won the 
victory over herself. It was a sharp struggle, and 
the piercing pain, as her daughter flew into the arms 
of a man who was not of their family or their life, 
was almost more than she could bear. But did she 
not deserve it all ? It was a fitting punishment. 
She would endeavor now, at any rate, to do what 
was right. 

She took Olive tenderly by the hand. 

“ I have something to say to you dear.” Olive 
looked up suddenly, perceiving the strange tone in 
her mother’s voice. 

“ I think you know,” Mrs. Kimball went on, 
“ how wise, how fortunate a choice your father made 


272 


A LEGAL WRECK 


when he left you in the loving care of Cap'n Edward 
Smith.'' 

Yes mother, I do." 

The Cap’n turned away a little, and as Mrs. 
Kimball continued, his head slowly sank lower and 
lower. Mazey stood near him. 

It seems that he left a letter also, requesting 
that certain things be done. With faithful devotion 
Cap'n Smith has complied with every wish expressed, 
■with every wish — but one." * 

‘‘But one?" Olive looked in her mother's face. 

“ One, — and that was, that he should never give 
you up to those who might claim relationship with 
you. To be faithful to his trust he now asks you to 
return to him. You are to decide this for yourself." 

There was a long silence. 

“ Before you make up your mind," Mrs. Kimball 
went on in a gentle voice, “ you must remember 
how true and faithful the Cap’n has been to you, 
and in the hour when you were without home, or 
friends, or father, or — or mother; how he has denied 
himself that you might have all he could give ; how 
kind, tender, self-sacrificing he has been ; how much 
he — loves you." She paused. “ Cap’n Smith, is 
there anything more to say ? " she asked in a low 
tone. 

“ You’ve said it all, mam, an’ a great sight more 
than I desarved," replied the old sailor, with a voice 
full of emotion. 

“ As for me," Mrs. Kimball said, turning to Olive, 
“ as for me, remember only that — I am your mother." 

Olive put her arms about her and looked lovingly 
into her face. 

“ The eyes of one I once loved, and deeply 
wronged, look at me through yours ; in yoUr forgive- 
ness I hoped for his ; your presence is an unspeak- 
able consolation to me, and yet I — " For a moment 
she could not go on ; then, with an effort, the words 
came : “ I will not keep you against your will." 

“ Mother, don’t ask mre to decide such a thing!" 


A LEGAL WRECK 


273 


Olive spoke with a trembling voice. I want to 
stay with you — and I want to go with uncle. Oh— 
I don’t know what to do ! She covered her face 
with her hands and moved away from them, down 
the long room. 

‘‘ Permit me to ask,’' said Mr. Merriam, after 
watching Olive closely a moment, if it is quite fair 
to force the young lady to decide this— to decide 
this delicate question, with both parties present?” 

No one spoke, and he went on: 

I consider it cruel. You should retire.” 

Why certainly, if she desires it,” said Mrs. Kim- 
ball. 

‘‘ If you v/ish I will consult her.” Without wait- 
ing to see whether they wished or not, Merriam went 
at once to Olive and spoke in a low voice. 

Miss Kimball,”' he said, may L have a few 
words with you? It is very important.” 

Alone ? ” she asked, surprised. 

Alone.” 

Does she wish us to leave her?” Mrs. Kimball 
inquired. 

“Yes, for a few moments,” answered Merriam, 
approaching them. “ Cap’n, please take a seat in 
the reception room ; I will call you when required.” 

The Cap’n and Mazey retired at once ; but with 
Mrs. Kimball he had considerable' trouble. Upon 
making the discovery that Merriam proposed to 
remain, her suspicions were roused. But to every 
objection she made he had an instant and unanswer- 
able rejoinder, very often accompanied by a direct 
home thrust. When, by the most rapid fire of this 
kind he had reduced her to the proper point, he fell 
back on the right of the young lady to hear what he 
had to say without regard to her (Mrs. Kimball’s) 
opinions in the matter, and she finally left the room, 
saying that she considered his conduct remarkable 
to say the least, but that if her daughter wished to 
remain and hear this very important communication, 
she was at liberty to do so. 


274 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Richard Merriam turned from the door 

9. through which Mrs. Kimball had finally 
withdrawn, and wiped the perspiration from 
his brow, saying to himself that he would 
rather encounter all the roughs and scoundrels 
in the penitentiary than one woman. And yet, be- 
fore him, waiting to see what he could possibly wish 
to say to her, and hoping it was something about 
Henry Leverett, — which hope, it must be confessed, 
was her reason for consenting to listen to him, — was 
one of the very beings he found it so unpleasant to 
deal with. She, however, was a single bright excep- 
tion to the operation of his intense aversion. 

He stood in her presence at la^t. His case was 
called. 

‘‘ Miss Kimball, I — " he began, starting toward 
her. 

Gray, please,'' she interrupted. 

“ I beg pardon?" he said, not understanding. 

Gray," she repeated, smiling faintly. “You 
know they have decided to let me keep the name, so 
I am still Miss Gray." 

“ Miss Gray, it must be very trying to have — to 
have any one think as much of you as I do. But 
the grounds for my attitude are clear and self-evi- 
dent. First: Had it not been for you, I should at 
this moment be unpleasantly situated beneath the 
surface of the Atlantic Ocean. I have taken the 
trouble to investigate the matter, and am fully 
acquainted with the extent to which the fact of my 
not being there is attributable to you. My life may 
not be of any appreciable value to others, but I hold 
it at a — at a high figure. I never absolutely owed it 
to any one before, with the possible exception of my 
mother ; but in this case the exception proves the 
rule, for a person's mother must be held in high es- 
teem. Hence we must esteem any one to whom we 
are indebted for our lives ; and it follows that I must 
therefore esteem you. Second : you will readily — " 

Mr. Merriam ! " she gasped. Olive had been 


A LEGAL WRECK 


275 


standing before him speechless with astonishment; 
she managed to find her voice at last. 

‘‘ I — I would really rather not hear this — now ! It 
is scarcely the time for such — ” 

“ I object, Miss Gray ! ” interrupted Merriam 
quickly; “ Pardon me, but I object! I have been 
on the calendar for eighteen days and am entitled to 
take precedence. If the other case is privileged and 
takes precedence over me, I claim a hearing on that 
as a party to the Record ! ’’ In his earnestness he 
had nearly forgotten that he was not in court. 

A party to the Record ! I don’t understand 
you ! 

Excuse me for — for using those terms. It was 
Only because I have something of such vital import- 
ance to present.” 

Has it anything to do with — ” 

Everytliingy 

Olive looked at him as if for an explanation. He 
had carried the point and could proceed. 

I dislike to keep you standing,” he said, motion- 
ing her to a large easy-chair. 

She slowly sank into it, keeping her great eyes 
fixed wonderingly upon him. 

He stood at a little distance, and waited a moment 
before beginning. 

“Miss Gray:” His voice was dropped to the low 
pitch which lends such impressiveness to the opening 
of an address. “ You have supposed there were but 
two parties between whom you must choose: There 
are five. Four of them are at this moment within 
ten yards of you ; I have arranged them in this way 
for convenience. The filth is at — is at a considerable 
distance ; I arranged him there for — for convenience 
also. — First: On your right is your mother. Second: 
On your left is one Cap’n Smith. Third : Behind 
you is one Henry Leverett. Fourth: — ” 

Olive had risen quickly and glanced behind her. 

“ Don’t rise, Miss Gray, — there is no cause fot 
alarm.” 


2/6 


A LEGAL WRECK 


She looked searchingly into Merriam’s face, and 
then slowly seated herself again. Although thor- 
oughly mystified by his words, she saw that his 
earnestness was beyond question. 

‘‘ Fourth: he resumed, “ Standing before you is 
one Richard Merriam. Fifth : At a considerable 
distance is one Ed Smith.’' 

Olive was upon her feet again in an instant. 

Ed Smith ! ” she repeated, breathlesslyo 

Ed Smith,” re-affirmed Merriam. 

He — he is dead ! ” 

“ No. He is not dead. He never was dead.” 

I don’t believe it! ” she gasped, hardly knowing 
what she said. 

This will convince you,” rejoined the lawyer, 
drawing some papers from his breast pocket. 

No ! ” exclaimed Olive, with a motion of refusal ; 

I will not stay to be convinced. I do not know 
what you mean by all this ! It is dreadful — and I 
will not listen to you any longer ! ” saying which 
she moved away from him. 

Where will you go ? ” 

The question came quick and incisive. It caused 
her to stop suddenly, but she did not look at 
him. 

Where will you go ? ” he repeated ; and then, in 
a low voice but with great distinctness and rapidity 
he went on: With Cap’n Smith? To meet that 

ruffian and beast who holds a promise over your 
head — a promise obtained under duress it is true, 
but which your honor and your conscience binds you 
to fulfill — a promise from which there is but one 
escape — to which I will allude hereafter? — To Ed- 
ward Smith? Consigning yourself to a worse than 
living death ? — To your mother ? Remaining in this 
house where you are causing untold misery by 
coming between your sister and the man she loved ? 
- — To Henry Leverett ? Completing that misery, 
and consigning the sister through whose devotion 
you were restored ” 


A LEGAL WRECK 277 

“ What do you mean Mr. Merriam ! Olive had 
faced him and stood with blazing eyes. 

He was silent an instant, and then asked, in ap- 
parent astonishment, if she were ignorant of the fact 
that Edith Kimball had formerly been engaged to 
Henry Leverett, and that this engagement had been 
broken because of her. 

She made no reply. For awhile she remained 
looking at him, her lovely face growing paler and 
paler. Then she turned away, and going slowly to 
one of the windows, stood for . some time gazing 
out upon the smooth, velvety lawns and well kept 
flower-beds. 

Finally she approached him again. 

‘‘ I do not think you would tell me this, if it were 
not true,'' she said calmly. 

‘‘ Miss Gray," he replied, I would not tell you 
anything that was not true." 

“ But how can I know it — how can I believe it, 
without some — some proof?" 

“ I do not ask you to. — Step this way." 

He led her to the closed curtains before the con- 
servatory door. 

The proof is there," he whispered. When you 
look, be careful that you are not seen." 

Then he left her, moving noiselessly toward the 
further end of the room and standing with his back 
turned as if he would not intrude upon her feelings. 
His head was bowed forward to convey the impres- 
sion of a delicate sympathy. His eyes were directed 
intently upon a convenient mirror in which he could 
observe her every motion, and thereby measure what- 
ever edect might be produced. 

He saw her seize the heavy draperies, and then 
stand motionless an instant, fearing to looko He 
saw her summon courage, and with an evident effort 
pull them apart a little and glance between. Then 
her hold upon the curtains relaxed, they fell together 
again, and she walked dizzily to one of the carved 
oaken tables, where she stood supporting herself 
with one hand. 




A LEGAL WRECK 


It was a favorable moment/' said Merriam to 
himself, as he hastened toward her. 

In this interpretation he was, as usual, perfectly 
correct. At the instant Olive looked into the con- 
servatory, Henry Leverett was holding both of Edith 
Kimball’s hands and there were tears in her eyes. 

“ Miss Gray,” said Merriam, quite near her, ‘^you 
cannot remain, you cannot go. Of the five parties 
concerned, four are out of the question, leaving only 
one. 

She said nothing. It did not seem that she was 
listening. 

Merriam drew a package of legal papers from his 
pocket. 

I hold in my hand,” he went on, drawing out one 
of the documents, ‘‘ an absolute release for you, duly 
signed by Edward Smith, but conditional upon your 
alliance with myself. Also,” he continued, selecting 
another, an injunction granted on default of appear- 
ance, restraining him from marrying you ; and other 
papers of value. These things, obtained at consider- 
able personal risk, and my vigilant work on the case, 
must convince you, beyond doubt, of my — my devo- 
tion, and that class of emotions. As a matter of 
fact, I do not know any words which will convey to 
your mind my feelings in connection with this 
affair. I have had no occasion, in any case where I 
appeared, to use such words, and I doubt whether 
there are any in the language. These papers I place 
in your hands, and you will — you will — you ” 

He had taken her soft white hand in his for the 
purpose of placing the documents in it, but as he 
did so an exquisite thrill shot through and through 
him. It was so strange, so unexpected, so overpow- 
ering, that he stopped, confused. Ft)r the first time 
in his life he was demoralized. He could not go on, 
and for a moment stood motionless. One by one 
the neatly folded papers, all labeled and tied with 
red tape, fell to the floor at his feet. 

Suddenly Olive started and turned to him. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


279 


I 


she gasped, drawing her hand quickly 
away. I do not want to — to talk with you ! I 
don't know what you have been saying! Please — 
go!” 

Certainly.’* 

Merriam walked toward the door like one in a 
dream. Arriving there he paused, regaining to some 
extent his presence of mind. 

If I can be of any service to you, let me know,” 
he said in a hollow voice which he hardly recognized 
as his own. I shall wait in the reception room 
fifteen minutes. It is now,” he added, looking at 
his watch mechanically, ^‘two minutes past four.” 
Having made this announcement, he left the room. 


It was some time before Olive moved. She 
10. stood, supporting herself at the table where 
Merriam had left her, with a strange, far-away 
look in her eyes. Once or twice her lips 
moved as though she were repeating some- 
thing to herself. 

The sound of approaching voices in the conserva- 
tory caused her to start, and go quickly to one of 
the further windows, where she stood looking out, or 
appearing to do so — for in reality she saw nothing, 
Edith and Leverett entered the room, talking ear- 
nestly in undertones. 

‘‘ Where is she ? ” he asked eagerly ; I can see 
her now^ can't I ? ” . 

Yes, if you'll be very good — ever so good ! ” 

‘‘^I can't promise such a difficult thing as that.” 

But you must.” 

Then if I must, I will,” he replied laughing, as 
he followed Edith to the door. 

No, no ! ” she remonstrated, turning upon him ; 

You are to wait here until I send her to you! I 
won’t tell her who it is — you are to surprise her.” 
“Oh, all right,” he answered. 


280 


A LEGAL WRECK 


When she had gone, he went to a table and picked 
up a magazine, but tossed it quickly aside, and 
walked restlessly down the long room. In a 
moment Olive would come ! It would be only a 
moment, and yet it seemed as if he could not wait. 
The next instant he saw her. 

It was strange that she should be standing there 
with her back toward him, for she must know he 
was in the room. He did not stop to wonder, how- 
ever, but hurried toward her. He was by her side, 
and yet she did not turn. His strong arm encircled 
her waist. 

“ Olive ! My own ! ** 

She started away from him so suddenly that when 
he would have drawn her close to him, she was gone. 

Mr. Leverett!’* she gasped. 

There was an expression upon her face that caused 
him to stand looking at her in alarm. Had he made 
some mistake? What could it mean? 

Mr. Leverett, I am very glad to — to see you 
again before I go, and that — you are out of your 
trouble in safety.*' 

Olive ! " His lips shaped the word, but there 
was no sound. 

He was astonished. She had spoken almost 
coldly; controlling herself with difficulty; every 
now and then catching her breath. 

Suddenly he stretched out his arms to her, im- 
pulsively, passionately. 

But she moved back, and made a motion for him 
not to follow. 

“ No — please don't come — near me. 

‘‘ Not come near you ! *' 

You must understand that — that we sometimes 
change our minds,*’ she said; and then went on 
faster and more excitedly, “ I have changed mine. 
I cannot accept your — your love, or the offer of 
marriage you were — so good as to make me. You 
did not know this when you came in, and so — and 
so I will excuse you.*' 


A LEGAL WRECK 


281 


** You do not mean this ! he broke out with sudden 
vehemence, hurrying toward her; “you cannot be 
in earnest ! — 0/ive / 

She was retreating before himo 

“ Mr. Leverett, I do mean it ! Really I cannot 
listen — I cannot !” 

He caught her hands. 

“ You must hear me,’* he said, drawing her to 
him ; “ something is wrong still ! ” 

“ Yes, something is wrong!” she answered breath- 
lessly, and breaking away from him again, hurried 
toward the door, through which Mrs. Kimball had 
left the room. “You must let me go! You must 
Mr. Leverett ! — Mother ! — Mother ! ” 

Mrs. Kimball, hastening into the room, was by 
Olive’s side in an instant, and the poor girl, trembling 
and breathless, was clinging to her. 

“ I have decided — I have decided,” panted Olive ; 
“ I shall leave you mother — / am going home with 
Cap' n Smith ! ” 

Mrs. Kimball held her daughter tenderly, and 
looked inquiringly at Mr. Leverett. But she saw 
only blank astonishment in his face. However, by 
a certain process -of motherly intuition, and, it must 
be confessed, putting with it a few little things which 
she had recently overheard, she arrived at a tolerably 
definite conclusion regarding the difficulty which 
seemed to be in progress. 

She motioned Mr. Leverett to leave her alone with 
Olive, but added another signal which he was right 
in taking to mean that he should linger not far off. 
He therefore left the room at once. 

“He has gone, dear,” she whispered. 

Olive raised her head slowly. 

“ Going home with Cap’n Smith,” repeated Mrs. 
Kimball, caressingly stroking the rippling waves of 
hair back from the flushed and tearful face. “ Well, 
my daughter, if that is your preference — if that is 
what you really wish, I have not a word to say 
against it — not a word. Why, how hot your hand is 1 


282 


A LEGAL' WRECK 


And your face, too ! Dear me ! I should almost 
think you were feverish ! And you are so flushed — 
so excited, my child ! I am afraid you and Mr. Lev- 
erett have been having some trouble. No?'’ she 
added, — for the beautiful head was shaken nega- 
tively. 

“ Not exactly," Olive answered in a low voice, her 
eyes upon the floor. 

Not exactly — but something like it," said her 
mother, compassionately. Well, I'm sorry. — I 
hope you haven't quarreled ? " 

Again the head of wavy hair was shaken. 

“Still, there is something^' Mrs. Kimball said, 
encouragingly. “ I think I know what it is ; you are 
a little disappointed in him ! " 

Olive was motionless in her arms. 

“ How strange that is," Mrs. Kimball continued, 
“ for Edith had something such a time herself, and 
with the same gentleman — and now my other daugh- 
ter ! Isn't it a coincidence ! But it is well for both 
of you that you discovered your mistake in time ! " 

“ Mistake," repeated Olive without moving. 

“ Yes ; for there can be none greater, none more 
fatal, than to be bound for life to one you do not 
really love." 

“ Didn't she — really — love him?" asked a faint 
little voice down under the mass of iridescently 
glowing hair. Olive had turned partly around in her 
mother's arms as though she were trying to get 
away, but that was not the case. It was an unspeak- 
able comfort to rest in those arms, to feel them 
about her, and to see the loving hands which were 
clasped right in front of her. 

“ Love him ? Dear me, I believe they thought so 
once," answered Mrs. Kimball, “ but after awhile she 
changed her mind. I only tell you this so that you 
and Edith may sympathize you know ; — perhaps it 
doesn’t interest you ? " 

“ Oh yes it does ! I — " Olive had spoken with sud- 
den eagerness, and she paused very much confused. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


283 


Well/’ went on her mother, precisely as though 
she had not noticed it, I suspect there was a rea- 
son for Edith’s change of heart, and that reason was, 
her meeting some one^ she really loved. It quite 
troubled her for awhile. There had been a sort of 
an understanding with Mr. Leverett, a — in fact an 
engagement, and the poor girl did not know what to 
do. She could not summon up courage to — to break 
"his Mrs. Kimball laughed a little, softly, 

and it was really very trying. But one day a letter 
came from Mr. Leverett, and what do you think it 
contained 1 ” 

“ I — I don’t 1 mean, what ? ” 

Of course you don’t know dear! Well, it was an 
honest, manly letter, and in it he actually asked for 
a release himself ! He said he had never loved, in 
reality, until that very day.” — Mrs. Kimball had for 
some little time been gesticulating in a most em- 
phatic manner toward the door, and Mr. Leverett 
now appeared, followed by Edith. As the beck- 
oning continued, he tip-toed cautiously toward Mrs. 
Kimball, while Edith, smiling a wondrous smile, 
sank upon the piano stool which was near at hand. 
— That he had but just found the one who was 
dearer, more precious to him than his life — his soul 
— his very being.” 

Leverett stared at the speaker in astonishment. 
He did not remember having used the expressions 
referred to. 

“ You can imagine Edith released him ! ” went on 
Mrs. Kimball, glancing at him out of the corner of 
her eyes. She was in such a hurry for fear he 
would change his mind, that she actually wanted to 
telegraph ! ” 

Edith smothered her laughter, wheeling quickly 
round on the piano stool, and covering her face. 

Leverett playfully shook his fist at Mrs. Kimball. 
Of course he is all very well as far as he goesf 
she went on, not in the least disconcerted by the 
threat implied, and really a very nice, good-hearted, 


284 


A LEGAL WRECK 


whole-souled sort of a fellow. I was just a Irttle dis* 
appointed at not having him in the family. He 
never told us who that other some one was. Do you 
know — I thought at one time that perhaps it might 
be — you, as he was at Gap Harbor, but — 

“ It was,** said the faint voice, under the waving 
hair. 

Really ! ’* exclaimed Mrs. Kimball, bending her 
face over Olive’s shoulder and speaking in a very 
low voice ; What a pity then, that you cannot love 
him in return ! ** 

I can.** The voice was fainter still. 

Edith was turned away, her face down m both 
hands on the piano. 

Mrs, Kimball very cautiously withdrew one arm 
from about Olive, and touching Leverett, who was 
very near, indicated that he was to put his arm in 
the place of it. He obeyed with a most commend- 
able promptness. 

“ You can love him ? ** she repeated, withdrawing 
her other arm and substituting Leverett’s remaining 
one in its place. 

The reply was a series of assenting nods of the 
head which still rested against her bosom. 

Why don’t you then r *’ she asked softly. 

I do.’* 

The process of surreptitiously replacing herself 
with Mr. Leverett was nearly complete. 

'‘You do — what ?** 

“ I do — love him.” 

Mrs. Kimball was now at liberty, but stood dose 
to Olive. 

“ Then you must let him know it, dear,” she said, 
gently; after which she moved quietly away. 

“ No,” Olive moaned, shaking her head sadly on 
Leverett’s manly breast ; “ it’s too late — he has 
gone.** 

“ Oh, I don’t think so,** Mrs. Kimball remarked 
cheerfully, at the same time walking down the room 
some distance in front of Olive. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


285 


Yes — I told him to go — and he — ” 

She stopped. Her eyes were upon a pair of 
brown, muscular hands, which were clasped before 
her in the place where her mother's had been. She 
looked suddenly up and perceived that Mrs. Kimball 
was at the further end of the room ; it was therefore 
evident that the hands could not very well belong 
to her. For an instant she was perfectly still. Lev- 
erett could feel the beating of her heart against his 
arms. 

With a sudden little scream she turned quickly 
around and buried her face against him. 

At that moment Edith struck up upon the piano, 
with the most tremendous banging, the Wedding 
March. There was a burst of laughter. Olive es- 
caped from Leverett's hold and ran into the con- 
servatory, where he followed her at once, the hang- 
ings falling together behind them. 

O Edith ! Do stop that dreadful noise ! ’’ Mrs. 
Kimball cried at the top of her voice, hastening 
toward the enthusiastic performer. 

Cap'n Smith' and Mazey, followed by Mr. Mer- 
riam, appeared at this point, hurrying to the door 
to ascertain the cause of the unusual disturbance. 
Edith ! Edith ! '' 

Mrs. Kimball touched her daughter on the shoulder, 
and succeeded in restoring quiet. Edith wheeled 
round laughing, but seeing the three gentlemen at 
the door, at once assumed a most serious expression. 

‘' Gentlemen,’’ said Mrs. Kimball, turning toward 
them, “ you will doubtless be pained to hear that 
my daughter — my daughter Olive — has decided 
against me.” She paused for an instant. 

No one naoved. 

“ And against you too, Cap’n,” she added, sympa- 
thetically. 

The Cap’n’s face was a blank. His eyes were 
fastened ^^pon Mrs. Kimball. Mazey edged a little 
nearer to him for the purpose of standing by ” 
when required. 


286 


A LEGAL WRECK 


Merriam drew a long breath. ‘"I have won the 
case ! ” he said to himself. 

“ We cannot either of us keep her,” Mrs. Kimball 
went on, speaking slowly, “for she is going with 
Mr. Henry Leverett.” 

“ Exhibit Z ! ” announced Edith, at the same time 
drawing aside the conservatory curtains. Only a 
few moments before she had been told of Mr. Mer- 
riam’s argument involving the series of exhibits, 
and considered it an appropriate time for the last 
one. It cannot be denied that it was fully as 
effective as any that had been made in connection 
with the affiiir. 

Merriam gave one look into the conservatory, and 
then turned away, fastening his gaze upon a paint* 
ing in a heavy gilt frame which hung upon the wall 
opposite. After a little, he sat down. 

Olive and Leverett, upon being put so cruelly 
upon exhibition, came laughingly into the room 
hand in hand. 

“ Cap’n Smith,” said Mrs. Kimball, going toward 
him, I am sure this is a compromise that will 
satisfy you, for now you will not have to disobey 
instructions'" « 

There was a moment of silence. Olive and Leve- 
rett were both watching the old Cap hi anxiously. 

“As to that, mam,” he finally replied, his thoughts 
upon the son he supposed to be dead, “ I would 
once a-been entirely satisfied ; but someways, bein’ 
as the man has did me sich a turn — although I 
allows as he might not a’ intended for to do it, still 
I — not yit — don't ask me yit ! ” and he turned sadly 
away, with his face to Mazey, standing very near to 
the old mate. 

A rather awkward pause followed. 

Suddenly Olive started. 

“ Oh ! — He doesn't know yet ! ” she cried, hasten- 
ing toward him. 

She stopped before she had gone far, for Merriam 
had risen and stepped quietly before her. 


A LEGAL WRECK 


287 


Permit me to adjust this matter for you before 
I — take my leave,” he said in a hollow voice, scarcely 
above a whisper. His face was very white. His 
hand trembled slightly. 

‘‘ Cap’n,” he continued, .and then waited until the 
old man faced him ; “ Cap’n, I have some bad news 
for you,— your son still lives ; he hung to some 
roots and I pulled him up ; you therefore owe his 
life to me — but as I consider it worthless there will 
be no charge.” 

Cap’n Smith, in his astonishment, backed against 
Mazey, who held him, calling out in a deep cracked 
voice, “ Steady, sir ! ” 

Leverett,” Merriam went on, pointing to the 
various documents scattered about the floor, “ there 
is a paper I made him sign — there’s a permanent in- 
junction — there are other documents — you can have 
them all ! There wasn’t a flaw in the argument ! ” he 
continued, growing a little excited and walking 
about the room. “ She couldn’t logically marry any 
one but me, and she will discover it when it is too 
late to re-open the case ! ” 

‘‘ Mr. Merriam ! Aren’t you forgetting yourself!” 
asked Mrs. Kimball good naturedly. 

‘‘ Yes, I am ! ” he answered sharply, ‘‘ But I will 
not apologize 1 If you Teel injured you can bring 
suit and — ” 

‘‘ Hold on, Merriam ! ” remonstrated Leverett, 
going toward him. 

‘‘ I will not hold on I ” retorted the lawyer turning 
suddenly upon him. You are the one to hold on ! ” 
and he started off again on his nervous walk. ^ 

'' But Mr. Merriam — ” put in Olive soothingly, try- 
ing to meet him. 

“ Miss Gray,’" said he, facing her, I will not wish 
you happiness, because you can have none ! The 
moment your reason returns you will discover that 
you have married the wrong man ! ” 

Then, Mr. Merriam, I hope it will never return ! ” 
was her answer. 


288 


A LEGAL WRECK 


‘‘ I don’t think there is much danger of it. I will 
therefore bid you — I will ’’ 

He had suddenly thought of something. His hand 
trembled as he lifted it to his breast and drew slowly 
from his pocket a leather-covered note book. Open- 
ing it, he gathered in his fingers a few dried and 
pressed buds that lay between the pages. 

There is one thing I had — had almost for- 
gotten,” he said in a very low voice, his eyes moving 
restlessly about the room, and then resting upon 
Olive's face. He tried to smile. 

These flowers — were yours.” He held them out 
toward her. ‘‘You wore them in your — in your 
hair — once, I — stole them — and of course Til give 

them up. Unless” — he added, hesitating a little 

as he looked at her, “ unless you don’t care for them 
again.” 

“ No, indeed I don’t,” replied Olive gently. 

“ Thank you,” he said ; “ then — then I think I’d 

like to keep them awhile.” He tremblingly put 

them between the leaves of the book, which he 
dosed and replaced in his breast pocket. Then, after 
glancing about the room again, he looked once more 
into Olive’s sympathetic face, his lips moved as if 
trying to articulate “ Good afternoon,” and turning 
suddenly away he walked quickly from the room. 

His departure was so unexpected that they all 
stood surprised for an instant. 

“Oh, call him back!” Edith exclaimed impuls- 
ively, starting to follow him. 

Olive and MrSc Kimball hurried, with Edith, 
toward the front hall, but before reaching it they 
heard the outside door close heavily. 

Merriam was gone. 


The flair: 

Its Growth, Strydvre, Diseases, 
and How to MaKe il BcaiitiluL 

In all parts of the civilized world the hair is re- 
garded as essential to beauty. Even the earliest 
A records of ancient history tell 

ef the importance of the hair as 
an accessory to human beauty. 
No matter how perfect the fea- 
tures, if a good head of hair is 
lacking, the thought of beauty 
vanishes. On the other hand, 
when the features are far from 
B perfect a beautiful growth of 
hair at once draws the atten- 
tion, and all else is forgotten. 

If your hair is already beau- 
tiful, you should read these 
pages in order to know how 
best to keep it so ; and if it is 
too thin, or is falling out, or 
losing its natural color, or un- 
desirably affected in any way, 
then you certainly should learn 
Q how to correct these evils. 

A RAID. A hair consists of 
two parts. The root, which is 
^ ^ situated in the skin, and the 

A« the shaft of the hair pro- if, • -l * j. ’a. 

Acting above the skin, B. oil Shaft, Whlch projectS abOVe it. 
glands. C: the lower end of ITl fi fTOTTl 

the sac in the center of which ^ nc iiciir rests in a sac, iiom 

is the hair bulb. which it is easily pulled. At 

the bottom of this sac is a little eminence called the 
hair bulb. 



THE HAIR BULB. Here is the very seat of life for the 
bairo Here it begins its growtho Here the food 
brought to it by the blood is changed 
into hair stri cture. Here is where 
health for the hair resides, and here 
is where disease begins. It is not 
strange, then, that^e should study 
the hair with great car . If we were 
asked the question, “ What part of 
the hair does your Renewer most 
affect?*^ we would quickly answert 

HAIR • 

It goes to the very seat ot trouble, 
and corrects diseased conditions. It 
stimulates the parts to healthy action. 

It restores activities long at rest. In 
a word, our Renewer makes this hair 
bulb do precisely the work nature 
intended it to do. 

The illustration shows a minute 
blood-vessel entering and leaving a 
hair bulb. HalFa Hair Renewer in- 
creases the circulation of the blood 
in these minute vessels, and new life 
and vitality enter each hair.^ New “ sleiflf isteen en- 
hair is formed again, by arousing the tering’ and leaving 
sleeping powers, and the bald scalp 
takes on a new growth of hair. There are a hundred 
things, any one of which wall retard or destroy the 
activity of these bulbs. The principal reason, how- 
ever, why they cease to form good hair is want of 
proper nourishment. How can a child grow if it is 
not properly fed ? How can a plant prosper if it does 
not have water? And, in the same sense, how can 
hair be formed and grow unless it has food ? Hairs 
Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer contains just the 
vegetable remedies needed by the bulb for the forma- 
tion of the hair and for its continued life and vigor. 
When these are supplied the hair must grow; it 
must prosper. It cannot help doing so any more 
tha;i a properly fed, healthy child can keep from 
growing. 

If there is any life remaining in the bulb, hair must 



be formed wben our Renewer is used* But if all life 
is gone, then, of course, there is no hope. Oiten, 
however, there is a little spark of* vitality left, which 
will kindle int full life under this treatment- A 
flower may wither and appear quite dead, and yet 
come into life again, when properly cared for . Hence 
no case of baldness need be so bad that a trial should 
net be made of our Renewer, 

SOFT RJ 2 ZY fiAIR* In keeping with these facts, is it 
possible to cause a good hea Ithy growth of hair in the 
place of soft fuzzy hair ? Most certainly. This kind 
of hair shows that the hair bulb is not properly fed. 
There is enough life and food to form a small and fine 
hair, but not enough fora full, natural hair. Our Re- 
newer supplies the deficiency and nature does the rest. 

BALDNESS, How utterly foolish, then, for any one to 
say that baldness cannot be cured/^ Just as reason- 
able to say that water will not quench thirst, or that 
fixe will not burn 1 Ma.ke the conditions correct and 
the result must come. No single fact is better estab- 
lished than that our Renewer will cure baldness. We 
have freely given you the scientific reasons for this ; 
and we have thousands of testimonials to prove that 
we are correct. 

Mrs, G. A. Matthews, of Weatherford, Texas, gives 
us the following strong testimonial : 

a testimonial to your HalPs Sicilian Hair Renewer, I 
want to say, when I was about 22 years old I lost my hair en- 
tirely ; I had the best medical treatment at home, and consulted 
physicians personally in St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, and 
Fort Worth with no success. By accident I got some of your 
medicine, and before I had used two bottles my hair began to 
grow, which now hangs below my waist, and is soft and healthy. 
My misfortune was so well known in Missouri, California, and 
Texas that, when it became known my hair had grown out after 
twelve years, my husband had numerous letters cf inquiry want- 
ing his receipt and offering to pay largely for it. We simply 
replied to all, * Hall’s Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer did the 
work,’ and I know of no case that it has failed to give the best 
results. You may use such parts of this as suits you best.” 

Solon S. Good, of the ** Enquirer/’' Cincinnati, O., 
wrote us, May 25, 1897: 

•‘Many years ago, the writer, who had lost almost all his hair, 
had restored to him a luxuriant growth of hair by the use of 
‘Hall’s Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer.’ ” 


A. A. Harper* florist* of Pine Mnff* Ark., mote as 
follows, March 31, 1896: 

‘‘Soma time since I had a hard case of fever and was sick for 
seven weeks. When I began to mend my hair came out and left 
tne entirely bald. I used one bottle of Hall's Hair Renewer and 
my hair came back as thick as ever. I consider Hall's Hair 
Renewer the finest of hair preparations.'^ 

Mr. Eesling, an aged farmer, near Warsaw, Ind., had scarcely 
any hair, what little remained being nearly white. One bottle 
of Hairs Hair Renewer produced a thick and luxuriant growth 
of hair, as brown and fresh as he had in youth. The case is well 
tuown and attracted much attention. 

FALLING OP TRE HAIP. This is no more than beginning 
baldness. It may cease before all the hair falls out 
or continue until complete baldness results. While 
there are many causes of this dilSculty, yet, so far as 
we know, there is but one cure, Hairs Sicilian Hair 
Renewer. Its prompt use will check the hair from 
coming out, and you do not have to continue the 
remedy long. 

It is important that you should not neglect this 
symptom, or soon the hair bulbs will become dis- 
eased. Taken in time, it is easily cured, but if 
neglected the cure is not so prompt. One bottle of 
our Renewer at first wiP save the use of many bottles 
later on. No one need feel badly over this falling of 
the hair if within reach of our Renewer, as the cure 
is prompt and permanent. 

Mrs. Katie McNamara, of Corsicana, Texas, writes: 

I wish to assure you that your Renewer is worth its weight 
in gold to me. My hair was falling out so badly, and I had 
tried so many different things, but without avail, I will now 
never tire in praising its merits." 

Mrs. A. T. Wall, of Greenfield, Cheshire, England, 
writes : 

have derived the greatest benefit from the use of Hall's 
Hair Renewer, It stimulated my scalp when the hair was fall- 
ing and produced new and vigorous growth." 

Mrs, Hunsberry, 344 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, 
N.Y., writes: 

‘‘After a severe attack of erysipelas in the head, I lost my 
hair — already gray — so rapidly that I soon became quite bald 
One bottle of Hall’s Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer produced 
a new growth of hair, as soft, brown, and thick as when 1 was a 


W. C. Hauser, of the firm of Wm. C. & G. 
Hauser, dealers in drugs, medicines, etc., WadSey, 
Ga., writes us Nov. 27, 18965 as follows: 

have used your Hair Reuewer for the purpose of stopping 
my hair from falling out and can state that j found ?t tc be THB 
thing needed About one year ago my hah began tc t^Xi out 
very badiy^ Having Seme of your Renewer m stock, I used a 
bottle, and since then have haa no trouoie ota that hne. 1 nnd, 
toO; that your Reiiewer restores the hair to its natural color. 

TO RESTORE COtOIt A word couceruiug the reasoa 
why our Renewer changes the color of the haii to its 
natural appearance. The coicr cf the hair is deteiv 
mined w^hue It ^s yet in the skin. When the blood 
supply is v/reng or the nerve action dendent, then 
no coloring matter will be furnished, and the hair 
turns gray or w’^hite. When the hair is first beginning 
to turn it imparts a most lifeless and altogether dis® 
agreeable expression to the whole countenance. 

Hairs Sicilian Hair Renewer gees to the root of 
the evil. IT fkkbs th:^ hair bulbs, increases the 
BLOOD SUPPLY, and it stimulates nerve actiono The 
coloring matter is deposited, and the color of youth 
again appears in the hair. Ail this is thus easily 
understood when tho crplanation is given. We have 
a vast number of test oionials on this point. We can 
only give a few of them here. 

Alfred Speer, of Passaic, N. 7 j.,"sayss 

am now 68 years old, and have used your Renewer for 25 
years with perfect success in keeping the hair natural in color, 
even when, fifteen years ago, my beard turned gray and of late 
years turned white by long neglecting to use the Renewer. 
Upon re-using it daily for only a week, the white color was dis- 
pelled and the natural brown brought back.’* 

William Kale, of Grand Rapids, Mich., w^rites as 
follows : 

“I have been nsing your Hair Renewer for about two weeks, 
and will say that it has done me more good than anything I have 
ever tried before. It has restored the white and gray hair to its 
natural color, and I think has already started the new hair to 
grow.** 

Randolph W. Farley, Nashua, N. H,, quite a young man, 
whose hair had become prematurely gray, applied our Renews 
with perfect successo His uair is now a beautiful brown, and 
he reports the effects from the use of this preparation as truly 
marvelous. 


SANDPVFF* Hairs Hair Renewer removes all dan* 

drufl- and so treats the scalp that its iormaticn is pre- 
ventede In time a positive cure is effected j and the Re- 
newer need not longer be used. Without doubt there 
is no other remed}/ in the whole world so effectual as 
this Renewer in the treatment and permanent cure of 
dandruff. As dandruff is not only a sign of a diseased 
scalp, but also a forerunner of baldness, so the impor- 
tance cf treating it is at once evident. We offer you a 
positive cure for it. and verify our statement with a 
few testimonials to that effect, although we might 
duplicate these a thousand times. 

R. Tucker, M.D., of Helena, Ala., writes us the 
following : 

. ^ I have used Hall’s Hair Renewer for the last thirty-five 
years and I know it will do all that it is recommended to do. 
It will restore the color, ctrn:^ dandruff, and prevent the hair 
from falling out. I believe I would today be bald-headed and 
gray if it had not been for the use of HalPs Hair Renewer. It 
will certainly restore the color and I don’t hesitate to recom- 
mend it.” 

A letter from J. A. Relley, of Antoine, Ark., April 
i8, 1896, says: 

My hair began falling out very fast, and I believe I would 
have been perfectly bald, but I used two bottles of Hall’s Hair 
Renewer, and it not only checked the falling out, but thickened 
the growth and cnKANSUn Thf SCAi^p op dandruff. This was 
four years since, and I now have a good head of hair. I can 
cordially recommend it as a first-class hair dressing.” 

In May, 1897, we received a R:;ter from J. M. Ran- 
dolph, of Brookfield, Mo. The writer says : 

have been using your Hair Renewer for several months 
and find it onf of best cures for dandruff in exist- 
KNCE, and have caused a number of persons to try it.” 

DOES NOT STAIN.. One desirable feature of our Re- 
newer is that it does not discolor the skin, as so many 
preparations do. It would not make the permanent 
cuies that it daily performs were this true. The skin 
is kept in its natural condition, and not in the slight- 
^est degree colored. 


IIS rr SAFE? 


No one should think for a moment ol using any 
preparation on the hair without having a sufficient 
guarantee that it is free from all caustic properties, 
protected from acid production, and composed of only 
the purest and best of materials, 

A few years ago we had our preparation examined 
by the highest authority obtainable, and we give be- 
low the result. During all these years our formula 
has been unchanged ; hence this analysis is as good 
today as when it was first issued. 



HALL’S 


Sicilian 



We h^e made a chemical analysis of ihis preparaiion, 
obtained from different sources, and heeoe determined the 
properties of the substances employed, 

^e constituents are pure, and carefully selected for excsef- 
lent quality f and the combination of them has been skilfully 
effected so as to form an effideni preparation adapted to 
deansing the skin of the head and promoting the grom>th of 
the hair, restoring the original color •when it has become 
gray. Being deprived of all caustic qualities, and proteded 
from subsequent add produdion, it is a mild, oil-tike fluid, 
«o)hich, m)hite it retains the hair and skin moist, m/ill hesd 
eruptions and promote healthy excretions from the scalp. 

We r^ara this as the best preparation for the int&nded 
ptrposes nvhtck has been submitted for examinaMon, 


A, A, HAYES, M,D., State Assayer, 
S, DANA HAYES, Chemist, 


Buckingham’s Dye 

For the WhisKcrs. 

^ ^ ^ 

A dye has no effect whatever on the bulb or on the 
root of the hair. It simply stains the hair shaft. It 
has no power to check failing hair or to make new 
hair appear. It is simply and solely a dye. The main 
questions to be decided about a dye are to procure 
one that is convenient for use, that will give uniform- 
ity of color, will not rub or wash off, is clean, per- 
fectly safe and harmless. 

For the whiskers, mustache, and eyebrows there 
is nothing equal to Buckingha j’s Dye. It is easily 
applied and within a few hours will produce either a 
beautiful brown or a rich black, whichever is pre- 
ferred, by following the directions. 

Our dye does not give that dead black color which 
shows acrosG the room that it is artificial. It does 
produce, however, a natural, even color that defies 
detection. And then it is not black or brown today, 
and a miserable color the next. When dyed once it 
is dyed to stay. It is necessary to occasionally use it 
thereafter for the new growth of hair. Two or three 
bottles at most will keep the beard and mustache 
colored for a year. Hence it is the most economical 
preparation on the market. 

We do not recommend this dye for the hair of the 
head. It does not go to the seat of the trouble and 
cure it, as does our Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer. 
But there are many men who are not satisfied, and 
most justly so, in having a beautiful head of hair 
from the use of our Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer, 
with a most distressing show of beard and mustache. 
These may just as well be colored with Bucking- 
ham's Dye as not, and no one be the wiser. Then, 
again, often the beard begins to show the color of age 
long before the hair does. Here this Dye naturally 
comes in and dispels the telltale story of years. 


Advice to People Who 
Have Weak Hearts. 

The fblJcnvii^ letter and reply is an extract from the editorial page of the New 
York Eventng yr’urnal of December »8, 1899: 

“I have an ailment of the heart — 1. e.^ it beats heavily after 
©very meal, no matter how light a meal, thereby causing much 
worry and expense. I have been to eight doctors, who ail say 
‘it is simply a functional disorder of the stomach.* Still they 
cannot give me any relief with their medicines. Please do net 
advise me to row, box, swim, or exercise in any form, as the 
least exercise will set my heart abeating hard, heavily and rap- 
idly. I am anxiously awaiting your advice.’* 

“We think we can ^ive this man with his weak heart 
some good advice. First, let him rest absolutely, lying 
down for at least thirty minutes before he eats any- 
thing, and let him rest — but KOT go to sleep — another 
half hour after eating. Let him try eating about 50 
per cent, of the amount which he eats now — even less, 
if possible. Let him take NO solids for breakfast. Let 
him, above all, eat very slowly, chewing eveiy mouth- 
ful at least twenty times — as did Gladstone — and swal- 
lowing nothing without first reducing it to almost im- 
palpable pulp, no matter how long that may take.’* 

“Good advice, every word of it. In addition to 
the above, the man should take a Ripans Tabule 
after each meal. It will benefit him. It will 
benefit anybody having a like trouble. Some 
people think they have heart trouble when it is 
really only a digestive disarrangement. A Ripans 
Tabule, taken after eating, materially aids diges- 
tion, drives away that full feeling, puts the stom- 
ach in prime condition, stimulates the action of 
the liver, and relieves the depressed and suffo- 
cating sensation in the chest and around the 
heart. There are thousands of people in all parts 
of the country who stoutly attest that Ripans 
benefit them in many other ways also. They 
banish pain and prolong life. One gives relief. 

to for 5 cents, at all druggists. 








1 


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The fascinating novels written by 


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are among the leading attractions 
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popular EAGLE LIBRARY, 

The following is a complete list 
of this favorite author’s works now 
published at TEN CENTS by 
Street & Smith, who are the sole 
authorized publishers of her latest 
works, and the only house issuing 
her complete list of novels. 


UST OF TITLES 

Aodrey’s Recompense Eagle, No. 99 lOc. 

Dorothy’s Jewels “ ^ J44 lOc. 

Edrie’s Legacy ** " t2 ...10c. 

Faithful Shirley " ** III lOc. 

Grazia's Mistake “ ** 122... 10c. 

Max “ 133 10c. 

Nameless Dell ■" 155 lOc. 

Queen Bess " " 1 10c. 

Ruby’s Reward ** ** 2.... ...10c. 

That Dowdy " " 44 10c. 

Thrice Wedded " “ 55 10c. 

Tina " " 77 lOc. 

Two Keys " 7 lOc. 

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Witch Hazel " “ 66 lOc. 


STREET & SMITH, Publishers, New York 


Mrs. Sheldon’s Works ^ 
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, . Rose Series No. 1 

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. . “ “ No. 4 

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^ in Paper at 25 Cents 


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Princess Series, No. 5, 25c. 

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a 

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His Heart’s Queen 

tt 

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Lost, a Pearle . . 

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Mona .... 

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Stella RoseveR . . 

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Wedded by Fate . . 

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For sale by all newsdealers, or sent by 
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L STREET & SMITH. Publishers. New York 


fork ^ 


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is a writer familiar to all English- 
speaking people. We have five of 
her very best works in the Arrow 
Library at lo cents each (the right 
price) as follows: — 


No. 53. Tempest and Sunshine 
No. 56. Lena Rivers 
No. 57 . English Orphans 
No. 60. Homestead on the Hillside 
No. 79 * Meadowbrook 


It is needless to say more. Every- 
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newsdealers have our edition. Or 
we will send them by mail, post- 
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STREET & SMITH. 238 William St., New York 

at 



LEEPLESSNESS 


HOW TO CURT IT. 


In the first place don’t use opiates or sedatives ex- 
cept when absolutely necessary. They do not reach 
the cause of the trouble. It is easy for those using 
them to acquire the deadly drug habit which results 
in human slavery. 

To cure yourself of sleeplessness, find out the 
CAUSE of your wakefulness. If you have been over- 
taxing your nervous system in an unreasonable way, 
quit the practice at once. Take as much outdoor ex- 
ercise as you can, especially if your occupation is 
sedentary. If you haven’t time or opportunity for 
this, exercise for a few moments night and morning 
in your bedroom. Use judgment about what you eat 
and how much you eat. Look carefully after your 
digestion. If your food isn’t properly digested how 
can you expect your body to be healthy? Poor diges- 
tion means a lack of bodily nourishment and conse- 
quent weakness. Ripans Tabules help the stomach 
to thoroughly digest the food and assimilate the good 
it contains. They cleanse and enrich the blood and 
make it move quickly. They make the bodily tissues 
firm and strong. They make anybody eat well, sleep 
well, work well, think well. With a good digestion 
there is little trouble in sleeping. 


R-/-R-A-N-S 


10 for 5 cents* 


At all Drug Stores* 


WANI'XDj— A oa«Gof bftd health that R-T-P-A-N-S will not benefit. They 
I baiiieh pain and prolong life. One gives relief. Note the word R-l-P-A-N-S 
on ihe package ajvl awept no substitute. R-f-P-A-N-S, 10 for 5 cents, may 
I be had at any drug store. Ten samples and one thousand testimonials will 
' be mailed to any Hddres.s for 6 cents, forwarded t« the Kipans Ohemieal Co,, 
I No. 10 Spruce St., New York. 




•••••eeeeeeeeeeeeeeMeeeeeseeoeoM 




« • • A 

l2mo. Series 
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Best Works 


AT THE RIGHT 
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1— A Bitter Atonemeut By Bertba INI. Clay 

2 — Dora 'i'lK.'i'iie By Bei tlia M. Clay 

8 — A Golden Henrt By B4*rtha iVI. Clay 

4— J^oro Lisle’s Dan^ihter By Bei tha .M. (’lay 

a— Tiie .Myster.N ot CJolde Fell ; or, Not Proven By Ben ha 31. Clay 

<>— Diana’s DiftVij)line; or, Suiishiite au<i Roies By Bertha. 31, (May 

7 — A Dark AlariMaue 3Iorn By Berlha 31. Clay 

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Ward By Bertha 31. (May 

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10- One Airainst Many By Bertha M. (May 

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12~At War With Herself By Bertha 31. Clay 

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K; — ills Wife’s Judgment By Bertha M. Clay 

17 — fifuiy (’astlemaine’s Divorce; or, Put Asunder By Bm tha M. Clay 

18*-A Passion Flower I>y Bertha 31. (May 

Iti — Two Fair Women ; or, Which Loved Plim Best? By Berti a 31. (May 

20— A Willful Maid. By Beilha 31. Clay 

21 — Wife in Name Only By Bei tha M. (May 

22 -M'lie Sin of a Lifetime By Bertha 31. (May 

23 — MMie World Between MMimn By Btu rha 31, ( lay 

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25— A TliOrn in Her Heart By Bertlia 31. Clay 

26— A Struggle for a Ring By Bertha 31. Clay 

27— The Shadow of a Sin By Bertha M. Clay 

2S — A Rose in Thorns By Bertha 31. Clay 

29— A Woman’s Love Story By Beitha M. Clay 

3(>— The Romance of a Black Veil By Bertha M. Clay 

31— Redeemed by Love By Bertha M. Chty 


BERTHA t. CLAY’S WORKS 

IN THE 

EAGLE LIBRARY, at IHc. 


4 — ]i"or a Woman’s Honor 
11 — Tiie Gypsy’s Daughter 
14— Violet" Idsle 
21 — A Heart’s Idol 
42— Aiiotiier Woman’s Hus- 
band 

48— Anotlier Man’s Wife 
50 — Gladys Greye 


70 — In Love's Crucible 
79 — Marjorie Deane 
84— Between Two Hearts 
95 — ’Twixt Love and Hate 
102 — Fair But Fail liless 
109 — A Heart’s Bi terness 
119 — An Ideal Love 
130 — A Bitter Bondage 


STREET SMITH, PUBUSHBRS, 

23a WILLIAM STREET, IM, V, 


Bertlia M. Oay Library 


O WING to repeated requests from the news trade 
and the public, we have decided to issue all the 
works of that most popular writer, Be)rtha M. 
CivAY, in a special ten-cent series, uniform in general 
appearance with our celebrated Eagle and other ten-cent 

lines Some of these books have been issued by 

other publishers, and frequently they have deceived the 
public by publishing the same stories under different 
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Library. 

Each Book IQ tl^is Series 

V WILL BE SEPARATE AND 

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the only publishers legally entitled to use the | 


iach I 

3ing I 


nameo ^ » a 


td II 

■ I M— 


H H d 




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published in America by Street & Smith, and we have 
exclusive copyright privileges for many of the best, and 
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$t. ieorge Ratbborne’s 
Popular Routaucc$ 


To tc found only in Street & Smithes Eagle Library* 
Every novel reader is familiar with the brilliant and 
fascinating work of this favorite writer— the author of thA 
great work ^^Dr* Jack/^ 

Mr* Rathborne writes exclusively for Street & Smith 
un'ler a contract involving the payment to him of many 
tho usands of dollars per a? num* The following list con- 
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his latest works! 


ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE 


Eagle No. 30, loc. 
4i “ 26, “ 


Baron Sam 

Captain Tom 

Colonel by Brevet, The “ 

Dr. Jack “ 

Dr. Jack’s Wife “ 

Fair Maid of Fez, The. . . j “ 

Fair Revolutionist, A “ 

Girl from Hong Kong, The “ 

Goddess of Africa, A “ 

Great Mogul, The. . . “ 

Her Rescue from the Turks “ 

Major Matterson of Kentucky “ 

Miss Caprice “ 

Miss Pauline of New York “ 

Monsieur Bob “ 

Mrs. Bob “ 

Nabob of Singapore, The “ 

Son of Mars, A “ 

Spider’s Web, The “ 

Squire John “ 

Under Egyptian Skies “ 

For sale by all newsdealers^ or sent by mail, postpai i 
receipt of price, by 

STREET & SMITH, Publishers, New York 



II 



Thos« Ti^ho are compelled by occupation to lead a sedentary life find 
Ripans Tabules a reliable cure for digestive ills. A Brooklyn (N. Y.) sten- 
ogra]>her says . “For years I have suffered with what I suppose to be dys- 
pepsia, and what has always been called so by physicians who have treated 
me. It is peculiar, inasmuch as it comes on periodically every year about 
October and lasts for two or three months in spite of all the medicines I 
take, and then goes away, apparently having worn itself out. The symp- 
toms are a sense of distress and heaviness in the chest, amounting to agony 
at times, and while not exactly a pain is more distressing even than pain, as 
all the time I suffer my spirits become depressed and my appetite is poor or 
capricious, and even when I feel like eating the dread of the agony it will 
cause me keeps from it- During the spells I usually suffer also from con- 
stipation and flatulende. This year the attack came on earlier than usual 
(about the middle of July), and feeling that I could not stand the combina- 
tion of heat and dyspepsia I looked around for something that might relievo 
me. A copy of your book on Ripans Tabules happening to be left in my 
office, I thought I would try them, and after taking two-five cent boxes I 
found my symptoms relieved, and while I still suffer somewhat at times, the 
distress is neither so constant nor so acute, and I have no doubt that in a 
few days 1 shall have entirely recovered, and this after having been treated 
by several doctors and taking quarts of nauseous mixtures that brought no 
relief. I find the ‘tabule* form of medicine much more agreeable to take 
than liquid, and can heartily recommend Ripai^s Tabules to any who have 
been troubled with symptoms like those above described. This testimonial 
is entirely unsolicited, and you can use it for publication if you so desire. 
My trouble is doubtless aggravated by the sedentary life I am compelled 
to lead.’^ 


W ANTED: — A cas« of bad health that R-I-P-A-N-S will not benefit. They bankh pain and pro* 
kinjj life. One gives relief. Note the word R-I-P-A-N-S on the package and accept no sub- 
stitute. R-I-P-A-N-S, lo for 5 cents, may be ha<l at any drug store. Ten samples and one thousand 
testimonials will be mailed to any address for 5 cents, forwarded to the Ripans Chemical Co., No. » 
Spruce St., New York. 




♦? i» 





UBLISHED in the famous EAGLE 
LIBRAR F. Printed on fine nvtiite paper, 
bound in handsomely illustrated confers. 


PRICE, to CENTS 


Qeail PEIT LE TILER’S 

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49 STREET & SMITH, New York 

*8? G31 


A YALE MAN» ‘*The adventurous career of a graduate 
of the renowned New England university. The nar- 
rative reads with the realism of a life-story. Absorb- 
ing from start to finish.” 

NONE ^UT THE ^RAVE^. “A fascinating love, mystery 
and war tale. The historical background of the 
Franco-Prussian War, on whose battlefields the 
American hero performs prodigies of valor, pic- 
turesquely toned by a most charming love interest. 
It reminds one of the Zenda stories.” 

A SIREN'S LOVE* ‘‘A latterday romaunt of all-compel- 
ling interest. Certain phases of life that are eschewed 
by the conventional novelist are here pictured in bold 
yet not indelicate strokes. It makes the words of 
Kipling’s ‘Vampire’ echo in the reader’s ears.” 

LAWYER ^ELL FROM BOSTON. ‘‘Had not Paul 
Bourget selected ‘ Cosmopolis ’ as the title of one of 
his novels, doubtless Robert Lee Tyler would have 
used it for this really great story, which contains a 
range of character as broad as tne polished French- 
man’s work, and a throb of incident from cover to 
cover that is irresistible.” 


< ^ For sale by alt booksellers and nepvsdealers^ or sent 

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postage free on receipt of price, by the publishers, ^ 

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“Why don’t youJvrite up the department 
stores and the hardships which we girls have 
to undergo ? ” This was a question asked one 
of our editors by a department store employee. 

It has been done. 


“For Gold or Soul” 

The Story of a Department Store 

By LURANA W. SHELDON 

which is No. 1 9, Alliance Library, portrays the 
sufferings and the hardships to which the em- 
ployees of many department stores are subject, 
and the insults to which they are forced to 
submit. This story is no fancy sketch. The 
writer has made a study of the leading de- 
partment stores of the country, and while the 
incidents which she related could not happen 
in all department stores, it is probable that 
she has not painted the scene e^n as black 
as it really is in some of them. 

This work is the greatest seller in the 
Alliance Library. For sale by all newsdeal- 
ers, at ten cents, or sent postpaid upon receipt 
of the price, by the publishers. 


STREET & SMITH 

238 William Street New York Qty 


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^ 37o« Should "Read ^ 

\My Queeti^ 

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A| 




WEEKLY journal for young women, 
containing the famous Marion Mar- 
lowe stories* These interesting ad- 
ventures of the beautiful farmer^s 
daughter, who comes to the great city to seek 
her fortune, are among the best romances that 
have ever been written* 

Four pages of each number of ^'My Queen^^ 
are devoted to Answers and Correspondence* 
Miss Grace Shirley, the author of the Marion 
Marlowe stories, gives advice on subjects which 
most nearly touch the happiness of life* Buy 
one copy and you will buy them regularly* 


I 


$ 

I 


% 

I 


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— ^ ^ 
STREET SMITH^ 

238 William Afreet, JSfeiv y'orK. 


detail Trice - FIX^E Cents 

THIR.TY-TWO PAGES c^nd HANDSOME COVER 

For sale by all newsdealers* Issued every 
Thursday* If you cannot get them from your 
newsdealer, send direct to the publishers* 



T«sHmE 

GERMAN- 

AMERICAN 

LIBRARY 

This new series of books, published by Street Sc Smith, 
will, we are sure, be hailed with delight by the German- 
reading citizens. In this series we are translating *^nto 
German the best detective stories in the English lan- 
guage, and offering them to the public at the price of 
ten cents. The list so far is as follows ; — 

I. — Mystery of a Hansom Cab, I’y Fergus Hume. 

3. — A Dangerous Mission, by Herrman Dietrich. 

3. — The Los Huecos Mystery, by Eugene T. Saivyer. 

4. — A Study in Scarlet, by A. Conan Doyle. 

These works arc specially commended to those who are 
studying the German language and have advanced far 
enough to appreciate an entertaining romance ; also, of 
course, to all German-reading people. 1 2 -mo. books, 
which contain 200 or more pages. 

PRICE, 10 CENTS. 

For sale by all newsdealers, or sent postpaid on receipt 
of price by the publishers. 


STREET 6 SMITH 

338 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK 


H2 



The Name of 

street S Sroitb 

on a 

publication is w 

A GUARANTEE 
OF GOODNESS 

That’s why M 

^ everybody buys them 
In preference 
to others* 

Insist on getting Street & 

Smith’s. The Right Books 
at the Right Price jn 

For sale by all up-to-date 
newsdealers ^ jii ^ ^ 


IF YOUR DEALER DON’T SELL THEM, 
GO TO THE MAN THAT DOES 



Messrs. Street & Smith 

! desire to announce to the public that they have purchased 

i the most valuable portion of the noted collection of book- 

I plates formerly belonging to the American Publishers’ 

I Corporation. Their purchase represents a value of over 

, a half-million dollars, and includes the choicest copyrights 

I and standards, covering a varied selection of the best efforts 

of nearly all the noted novelists, both English and American. 

They have also purchased, at a recent date, the 
majority of titles included in the Cassel Publishing Com- 
pany’s list. These two large and valuable collections of 
titles will be gradually added to their already extensive 
and popular catalogue list. They will also continue, as 
heretofore, to issue the very latest and most popular works 
of the most successful writers of the day, in rapid succes- 
sion. 

I These enormous additions to their list of plates give 

them the largest and best assortment of titles to be found 
in the English-speaking world, and the added fact may 
be noted that they have the largest and most completely 
equipped book -making plant in America. 

Under these conditions, the trade and the public may 
rest assured that the Street & Smith lines will continue 
to be at all times the leaders. 

I The large aquisitions noted above will enable them to 
offer to the public at popular prices very many valuable 
, works of fiction, which have heretofore been offered only 
in high-priced editions. 

: Look at their Catalogues of the right books at the right 

1! price (lo cents), generally to be found in the last pages of 
I their books. 

Free complete Catalogue on application. * 

STREET & SMITH 

2^8 William Street New York 

G 84 



A BOOK A DAY 





ITREET & SMITEI issue at 
least one new book every 
day. If you are buying from 
a newsdealer drop in every day and 
ask to see the latest from Street & 
Smith. Our ten-cent books have 
no successful competitors. Every 
book a good book. 

If your newsdealer docs not 
keep Street & Smith’s ten-cent 
books he must be slow indeed. 
Wake him up or else go to an- 
other dealer who does handle 
them. 

We will send* you our latest 
catalogue free any time you feel 
sufficiently interested to write for it. 



s 

T R 

E E 

T & S 

M I 

T H 

2 3 

8 WIL 

LIAM 

STREET, 

NEW 

YORK 

H3 








K 182 (EAGLE SERIES) |Q ©dltS ] 

\ LEGALWRECK 



BY 


WILLIAM GILLETTE 

rREET & SrilTH, PUBLISHERS, NEW yORK 





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EMLE SERIES 


A weekly publication devoted to good literature. 

By subscription $5 per year. Aug. 20, 1900. 
Entered as second-class matter at N.V. post-office. 


** monih's good reading _for 10 cenis' 


Some Coi\trib\jtors to 


AINSLEE’S 

MAGAZINE 


¥ V ¥ 


Wu Ting Fa^ng 
Gen. A. W. Greeley 
StepKen Cra-ne 
Opie R_ea.d 
F. Hopkinson Smith 
S. R-. Crockett 
Gvistav Kobbe 
Carlos Gilman Calkins.U.S.N. 
Prof. John Fryer 
D\inca.n. Campbell Scott 
Prof. Harry Thvirston Peck 
Brig.-Gen. Charles King 
W. A. Fraser 

I. Zangwill 
Bliss Carman 

J. Lincoln Steffens 
L. A. Coolidge 
Cyrus C. Adams 
Harry Stillwell Edwards 
Holman F. Day 

AND MANY OTHER-S - 


year' ^ good reading or One Dollar” 


i BAg’l2 street SMITH -v- Publishers v> NEW YORI^ 



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